THE STORY OF 
FREDERICK THE GREAT 



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Class l^ VH - Of 

Book C .jy . 

Copyright ]^^ 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



THE STORY OF 

FREDERICK THE GREAT 

FOR BOYS AND GIRLS 




Frederick the Great. 

(From painting by Antoine Pesne, in the Museum at Berlin.) 



THE STORY OF 

FREDERICK THE GREAT 

FOR BOYS AND GIRLS 



BY 
KATE E. CARPENTER 

AUTHOR OF '*THE STORY OF JOAN OF ARC FOR BOYS AND GIRLS** 



WITH ILLUSTRATIONS AND MAP 



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1 



BOSTON 
LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO. 



Published, August, 1908 j^ 



COPTBIGHT, 1908, BY LOTHBOP, LeE & ShEPXBD Co. 



AU Bights Eeserved 



The Stoby of Fbedebick the Gbxat 



LIBRARY of C0NGf^£S3 
Iw GowM rtecei»»: 

JUN \2 1308 



COHY B. 



Bebwick & Smith Co. 
Norwood, Mass., U. S. A. 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTBB rA.QV 

I. Prussia 1 

II. Babyhood 9 

III. The Story of a Picture .... 22 

IV. Boyhood 28 

V. Maria Theresa .37 

VI. Youth 41 

VII. Stolen Pleasures . . . . . 47 

VIII. A Desperate Game 65 

IX. The Prince a Prisoner .... 67 

X. Dark Days 72 

XI. Prison Days 78 

XII. A Faithful Friend 88 

XIII. Wilhelmina 98 

XIV. Manhood 109 

XV. King 116 

XVI. Silesia 123 

XVII. The Soldier - King 132 

XVIII. MoLLwiTz 152 

XIX. Chotusitz 169 

XX. In and Out of Bohemia . . . . 181 

XXI. Hohenfriedburg 192 

XXII. SoHR 202 

XXIII. Kesselsdorf 209 

XXIV. LoBOSiTz 227 

XXV. Prague — KoLiN 233 

XXVI. RossBACH 240 

XXVII. Kunnersdorf 247 

XXVIII. Sans Souci 255 



ILLUSTRATIONS 

Frederick the Great {From 'painting by Antoine 

Pesne, in the Museum at Berlin) . Frontispiece * 

FACIKG PAGE 

Map of Prussia and Her Neighbors in the 

Time of Frederick the Great .... 4 • 

Crown Prince Frederick and the Giant Guards 

{Courtesy of Harper & Brothers) .... 18 

Frederick and His Sister Wilhelmina as Chil- 
dren {From etching by E. Eichens after the 
painting by Antoine Pesne) 26 

The Crown Prince Frederick {From painting by 

Antoine Pesne) 32 

Making a Soldier of Him {Courtesy of Harper & 

Brothers) 36 

The Dressing-Gown {Courtesy of Harper & Brothers) 50 

Crown Prince Frederick with His Brothers 

{From painting by F. C. Rusca) . . . . 110 "^ 

Maria Theresa {From painting) 134 

Sans Souci 180 

Queen Elizabeth Christina {From painting in the 

Hohenzollern Museum) 220 



THE STORY OF FREDERICK 
THE GREAT 

CHAPTER I 

PRUSSIA 

NOW, my dear boys and girls, I am 
going to tell you the strange life- 
story of one of the greatest soldiers the 
world has ever known,— King Frederick 
n. of Prussia. I think you will agree 
with me that he well deserved the title, 
Frederick the Great. 

Some of you may have seen in Wash- 
ington the fine statue of Prussia's hero, 
which William, the German Emperor, re- 
cently presented to our country. 

You all know, I am sure, how great and 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

powerful among the nations of Europe 
Prussia is to-day, and I need not tell you 
that her king is, by hereditary right, also 
emperor of the vast German Empire. 
• But there was a time, little more than 
two hundred years ago, when Prussia 
was one of the smaller states in the Em- 
pire, and governed by a Prince of Ger- 
many, who was called an elector. 

To be an elector was to enjoy the privi- 
lege of casting a vote for a new ruler for 
the Empire, when for any reason it be- 
came necessary to elect one. 

A long line of princes from a famous 
family, the HohenzoUems, had for very 
many years been electors of Prussia. 
There was one prince who by his abil- 
ity and courage won the title of Great 

Elector. 

2 



PRUSSIA 

This Great Elector was succeeded by 
his son, who soon became ambitious to 
assume the higher title of king. Long- 
ing to wear a royal crown and to have a 
place among the sovereigns of Europe, 
the elector finally persuaded the Emperor 
to consent to making Prussia a kingdom. 

So, a formal treaty to that effect was 
signed by the Emperor of Germany, on 
the 16th of November, year 1700. And 
on the 18th of January, 1701, Prussia had 
her first king. 
• He was called Frederick I. 

The new monarch made the occasion of 
his coronation a most magnificent affair. 
A beautiful and costly crown was pro- 
vided for this ceremony, and in the pres- 
ence of a large assemblage of princes and 
princesses, dukes and duchesses, gath- 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

ered to witness the making of a king, 
Frederick I. placed the glittering emblem 
of royalty upon his head with his own 
hands. 

This first king of Prussia loved pomp 
and show, and in his beautiful palace in 
Berlin, he surroimded himself with a gay 
company of court followers and a large 
number of officials and personal attend- 
ants. 

The Prussia of 1701 did not occupy the 
same amount of space on the map of Eu- 
rope that it does to-day. 

If you will just glance over this map, 
you will see the great difference between 
then and now, and, while we are looking 
at the old map, let us stop long enough 
to notice particularly this province of 
Austria, called Silesia. 



PRUSSIA 

* Around Silesia, my dear young friends, 
the war interest of our story centres. 

King Frederick I. did not enjoy a very 
long reign. In a few years his health 
began to fail, and it became evident to all 
that ere long Prussia must look to an- 
other ruler. 

Now, the question of succession was a 
very serious one to the royal family, ow- 
ing to the lack of heirs. 

King Frederick I. had a son, named 
Frederick William, who, being Orown 
Prince, would of course succeed him, but 
Frederick William had no son to follow 
him as king when the time should come, 
and, failing a direct heir, the crown would 
pass to another branch of the family. 

To have created a kingdom, and then 

know there were not descendants in his 

5 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

own line to enjoy it, was a sore trial to 
the sick king, and indeed to the entire 
royal family. 

To be sure, there was the Crown 
Prince's daughter, little Princess Wil- 
helmina, but only a king could govern 
Prussia. 

Then there came a day,— the 12th of 
January it was, in the year 1712, when 
all their anxiety and gloomy thoughts for 
the future, gave place to joy unbounded. 

It was a little before noon, on that day 
when the royal household was thrown 
into a great state of excitement. Court 
messengers were hurriedly sent forth 
from the Palace of Berlin to announce the 
joyful tidings, that a little prince was 
bom. 

And, when the tiny heir to the king- 



PRUSSIA 

dom was placed in his father's arms for 
the first time, the happy Crown Prince, 
Frederick William, very nearly des- 
troyed all their hopes by almost smother- 
ing the wee mite of a baby with his rough 
caresses. 

But, happiest of all, perhaps, was the 
baby's mother— Crown Princess Sophia 
Dorothea. I am sure she would have 
welcomed the little prince just as gladly 
had there been no kingdom for him to 
inherit. 

He came to comfort her for the loss of 
two other baby boys, who had died a few 
years before. 

I must not forget little sister Wilhel- 
mina, who opened her eyes wide with 
wonder and admiration as she gazed 
upon her new brother. 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

From the heart of this pretty little 
princess, only three years old, went out 
a wealth of lore and devotion to the blue- 
eyed baby, which never failed in all the 
sad, sad days that were in store for them 
both. 



8 



CHAPTER n 

BABYHOOD 

^' TT ET the bells ring, and the flags 
■^-^ wave in honor of our dear grand- 
son," commanded the King. And 
throughout Berlin, and, indeed, in every 
town and village in Prussia, from steeple 
and tower, the bells pealed forth their 
welcome. That night the city was most 
brilliantly illuminated. 

The next important event was the 
christening. No expense nor ceremony 
was spared. The tiny prince — he was 
just one week old — was attired in the 
costliest robes, heavy with beautiful em- 
broidery and lace. 



FREDERIOK THE GREAT 

A long procession of soldiers paraded 
through the streets, with banners wav- 
ing and drums beating, while the loud 
booming of cannon notified the people 
for miles around that their future king 
was receiving a name. 

They christened him, Charles Fred- 
erick, but, for some reason, — I cannot 
tell you why, — the first name was soon 
after dropped, and he was called Fred- 
erick, alone. 

Just one year later. King Frederick I. 
was laid at rest, and his son, Frederick 
William, ascended the throne. And then, 
baby Fritz, as he was called, became 
Crown Prince. 

King Frederick William was quite un- 
like his father. He dispensed entirely 

with the ceremony of being crowned, 

10 



BABYHOOD 

asking only the sworn allegiance of his 
people. And, having no taste for the 
luxury and extravagance which had pre- 
vailed during his father's reign, he at 
once dismissed all unnecessary attend- 
ants, reducing his court to the fewest 
numbers possible. 

^^ I will have no useless idlers in 
Prussia," declared this gruff king. 

^^ And there shall be no waste of 
money.'' 

As you may imagine, the change was 
not an agreeable one at court, and soon 
all understood clearly that the new mon- 
arch intended to rule with an iron will, 
and that all must bend to it. 

The army was Frederick William's 

pride, and claimed a large share of his 

attention. While he cut his household 

11 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

* expenditures down to the lowest pos- 
sible figure, lie spent money freely upon 
his army and fortifications. 

-*• ^^ I shall make a great soldier of my 

son, and I shall build up for him the 

finest army in all Europe," the King 

declared, caring little that kings and 

courtiers were greatly amused at his 

efforts to create such an army, and little 

thought what would be done with it. 

^* What could Prussia "—the newest 

and smallest kingdom among them— 

'^ want with a great standing army? " 

they asked. 

Not a sovereign in Europe dreamed 

that the time was coming when one 

would ascend the throne of this same 

little Prussia, and give them a shaking-up 

such as they could never forget. 

12 



BABYHOOD 

Now, we must go back to little Fritz. 
King Frederick William, intent on mak- 
ing a soldier of his son, began his edu- 
cation in that direction very early — 
why, the little prince was scarcely more 
than a baby when the king would take 
him out to see the troops at Potsdam 
drill. 

# Potsdam, which is about twenty miles 
from Berlin, was then, as now, the home 
of the King's Guards. 

Frederick William's Grenadier Guards 

became famous throughout all Europe, 

and are still regarded as wonderful, for 

not a man among them measured much 

less than seven feet, while some were 

eight feet tall, and a few leaders of the 

Guards looked down from a height of 

nearly nine feet. 

13 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

You are amazed? You did not know 
there ever were so many giants, did 
you? 

Well, these giants were not all found 
in Prussia by any means. There were 
various ways of securing these tall 
treasures. King Frederick William em- 
ployed agents to travel about through 
the different countries searching for un- 
usually tall men, and when one was dis- 
covered, he was offered large induce- 
ments to come to Prussia and join the 
King's army. 

But, the tall recruits were not always 
secured by fair means, I am sorry to 
say. For sometimes these agents, am- 
bitious to serve the King, and obtain the 
reward they knew was ready for them, 
would resort to any trick or deception to 

14 



BABYHOOD 

bring an unwilling giant over the bor- 
der, and once on Prussian soil the victim 
was helpless. In a twinkling he would 
find himself in Prussian uniform, drill- 
ing with the other giants, at Potsdam, 
or in some other division of the King's 
army. And, such drilling! Hour after 
hour, day after day, until it was almost 
impossible for any one of them to make 
the slightest mistake. 

There is a story told of a cruel trick 
played by one of the King's recruiting 
officers, which had a most tragic ending. 

This officer had discovered a fine-look- 
ing, tall young man, a carpenter, living 
in a town outside King Frederick Will- 
iam's territory. He was eager to secure 
the prize, — but how? 

One day^ the officer — disguised as s^ 
15 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

Baron somebody — walked into the car- 
penter's little shop. ^' Can you make 
me a strong box, six feet and six inches 
long? " he inquired. 

" Oh, yes, surely I can,'' replied the 
young carpenter. 

" It must have a good strong lock and 
key. And, see to it, that the box does 
not measure an inch less than six feet, 
six inches," the supposed Baron said in 
a positive tone. 

" Why, you must be about as tall as 
that? " he added inquiringly. " Well, 
my box must be taller than yourself, or 
it will not suit my purpose." 

In a few days the strange box was 
completed, and the officer called to ex- 
amine it. He was very particular, and 

at once expressed great dissatisfaction. 
16 



BABYHOOD 

** You have not carried out my in- 
structions/' he angrily exclaimed, *' the 
box is too short! '' 

The tall carpenter took out his foot 
rule to prove that the length was cor- 
rect. 

^' Oh! but your measurements are all 
wrong. You remember the box was to 
be taller than yourself. Now, you could 
not lie out straight in that box? " 

Into the box the unsuspicious young 
carpenter stepped, and laid himself at 
full length. In an instant the heavy lid 
was slammed down, and the key turned 
in the lock! Three men appeared from 
some hiding-place in answer to the of- 
ficer's signal, and lifted up the boxed 
carpenter and carried him off to make one 

more splendid soldier for the King. 

17 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

When they were on safe ground, they 
opened the box to liberate their captive, 
and, — found him dead! Smothered! 

However, all the wonderful manoeu- 
vres of the King's famous Guards 
seemed to have very little effect upon 
the small Crown Prince. The disap- 
pointed father soon realized that his 
little son cared more for a good romp 
with Wilhelmina and his dogs, and later 
for books and music, than for all his 
Majesty's fine soldiers. What was to be 
done with such a boy? 

Frederick William determined upon a 

rigid course of training, hoping to 

awaken a martial spirit in this young 

HohenzoUern, who seemed so different 

from his ancestors. 

Accordingly, when Fritz was about 
18 




Crown Prince Frederick and the Giant Guards. 



BABYHOOD 

five years of age, — he was not older 
than that, I am sure, — the King formed 
a military company of one hmidred little 
boys, all of about the same age as Fritz, 
and named it, " Crown Prince Cadets." 
A few months later the company was in- 
creased to three hundred. 

An experienced drill-master was en- 
gaged to drill the baby soldiers, and at 
the end of two years, the command of 
the cadets was given to the young Crown 
Prince. 

A soldier cap and a wooden sword are 
the delight of most boys of seven, but 
here was a boy who cared nothing for 
his cocked hat and tight-fitting blue mil- 
itary coat with a real sword hanging 
from his belt. 

But drilling his small cadets was not 
19 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

all; there was another branch of mili- 
tary service the young Crown Prince 
must be taught. He must know how 
to handle big guns. So when he had 
reached his ninth year, the Eang or- 
dered a small arsenal arranged at Pots- 
dam, and there Fritz was carefully 
trained in the management of heavy 
artillery. 

There was something else, however, 
which the drill-master found time to 
teach his royal pupil, that was not down 
on the course of study his Majesty made 
out for his young son, and very, very 
different it was from the science of war. 

Now, it happened that this drill- 
master was a fine flute player, and 
whenever the opportunity offered he en- 
tertained his young prince with sweet 
20 



BABYHOOD 

music. Fritz was entranced with the 
beautiful melodies, and begged the drill- 
master to instruct him how to bring 
such sweet strains of music from the 
long, slender instrument. 

So, every moment that could be spared 
from the uninteresting gun practice was 
devoted to the music lessons. 

But, alas, just as soon as the King 
learned what was going on, he sternly 
commanded all flute lessons to cease. 

'' A foolish waste of time, let me hear 
no more of it! '' growled his Majesty. 

Poor little Fritz. It was a great hard- 
ship to give up those cherished lessons. 
The forbidden pleasure led to many un- 
happy scenes in after days. 



21 



CHAPTER m 

THE STORY OF A PICTURE 

X SHALL have much to tell you, my 
-^ dear young friends, of Frederick 
William's strange treatment of his son, 
which will astonish and shock you. But, 
I think it is only right that you should 
know, that, as a king, he served his 
people well. Strict and harsh he cer- 
tainly was in enforcing his will, but it 
was ever for the improvement and ad- 
vancement of Prussia. 

*^ What! have you nothing to do 
then? " he would shout, and thump the 
ground with his heavy walking-stick, if, 

on his tour of the city, he encountered 
22 



i 



TEE STORY OF A PICTURE 

an idler on the street. And even the old 
apple- women, sitting behind their stalls 
when business was dull, did not escape 
this king's notice. 

" Why do you sit there with your 
hands idle in your lap*? " 

Looking up, the frightened old apple- 
woman would stammer, " My apples are 
all polished, your Majesty, and I am 
waiting for customers to come and buy." 

** Knit, knit, while you wait." 

There was no gainsaying the royal 
command, so stockings, hoods for the 
children, and lace were knit when not 
selling apples. 

Thus, this rough, gruff monarch taught 
his subjects habits of industry. 

And, while in other courts of Europe 

money was squandered on luxurious liv- 

23 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

ing, and the coimtries were growing 
poorer and poorer, Frederick William, 
by his care and prudence, was able to 
store up great barrels full of money. 

Now, while King Frederick William 
was planning to make a fine soldier of 
his son, Queen Sophia Dorothea was ar- 
ranging for his future marriage. Princes 
very rarely choose for themselves whom 
they will marry. 

It seems rather strange to trouble 
about such a matter when Fritz was 
still but a baby. However, the Queen 
thought she saw a way to add to her 
dear son's future happiness and power 
by securing a little princess of England 
for his bride-elect. 

Queen Sophia Dorothea was a daugh- 
ter of George I., King of England. 

24 



THE STORY OF A PICTURE 

Although our little Fritz's grandfather 
was England's king, he was, however, 
not an Englishman. 

George I. was a German. He was 
Prince of Hanover, and was called by 
the English to be their king. 

•King George's son, the Prince of 
Wales, had a little daughter named 
Amelia. And it was this princess that 
the Queen desired for Fritz's bride, when 
they should both be grown up. But, 
that was not all; Sophia Dorothea also 
wanted little Prince Fred — Princess 
Amelia's brother — to marry her own 
daughter, Wilhelmina, when the proper 
time arrived. A double marriage, among 
the cousins, you see, that would be. 

Sophia Dorothea's plan to unite Eng- 
land and Prussia by this double mar- 
25 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

riage was approved by all concerned, 
and the baby cousins were betrothed to 
each other and all seemed to go well. 

But, dear, dear, what a world of sor- 
row and misery grew out of this pet 
scheme of the queens! 

The little cousins were betrothed as I 
have just said, but the signing of papers, 
which would make the engagements 
binding, was deferred from time to time 
by their grandfather, King George, 
much to the annoyance of the Queen of 
Prussia. And, finally. King George died 
without signing a contract of marriage. 

Now, I want you to look at this pic- 
ture of the little Crown Prince and his 
sister, Princess Wilhelmina. 

There is a little story about it which 

may interest you. 

26 




Frederick and his Sister Wilhelmina as Children. 

(From etching by E. Eichens after the painting by Antoine Pesne.) 



THE STORY OF A PICTURE 

One day, King Frederick William re- 
turned unexpectedly from a visit to 
other parts of his kingdom, and sur- 
prised Fritz and Wilhelmina at their 
play. Fritz had a drum hanging from 
his neck, and with the drum-sticks 
clasped tight in his small chubby fingers, 
was beating a lively rat-a-tat-tat while 
he and the little princess marched gal- 
lantly up and down the room. 

The king looked on, in delight, and 
determined to have a picture painted of 
the royal children as he had seen them. 

He sent for a celebrated artist, — An- 
toine Pesne, — and commanded him to 
begin work at once on the picture. This 
picture is a copy of that painting, which 
hangs in the palace at Charlottenburg. 



27 



CHAPTER IV 

BOYHOOD 

BABY days over, Fritz was expected 
to give all Ms attention to the seri- 
ous business of becoming a soldier. 

Unfortunately for Ms own happiness, 
the yearly inspections of the various 
military stations which he was obliged 
to make with Ms father failed utterly to 
awaken any enthusiasm for soldiering in 
this music-loving, poetic young Crown 
Prince. 

But fortresses must be closely exam- 
ined, and troops carefully reviewed, else 

something might go wrong, you know. 
28 



BOYHOOD 

And woe to the offender if Frederick 
William discovered anything amiss. 

Fritz could not see ahead into the 
future and know that this strict military 
discipline practised by the king would 
one day be of untold value to him. And 
his lack of interest on these occasions 
irritated Frederick William greatly. He 
grew more and more dissatisfied with 
his eldest son and often treated him very 
harshly. 

We are told that the present Crown 
Prince, Frederick William of Prussia, 
shows much skill in hunting the wild 
boars which roam through the forests of 
Prussia. So sure is his aim that he sel- 
dom fails to bring the great ugly crea- 
tures to earth. 

In the far-away days of the Crown 
29 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

Prince Frederick, whose story I am tell- 
ing you, a big boar hunt was Eong Fred- 
erick William's delight. But at that 
time, a long, sharp, spear-like instru- 
ment was used instead of a gun to kill 
the animal. 

Much to the King's disgust, Fritz ab- 
horred the rough sport and would steal 
away whenever possible for a few mo- 
ments' enjoyment of his beloved flute, 
or to write verses of poetry. For in 
truth, Prussia's Crown Prince was am- 
bitious to be known as a poet some day. 

'^ A poet, indeed! a soldier should 
have his mind on more important mat- 
ters than music and verse-making," de- 
clared his father. 

Poor, poor unhappy boy! It was all 

very well and proper to be a soldier part 

30 



BOYHOOD 

of the time, but he could not understand 
why he should not be permitted once in 
a while to enjoy the harmless pleasures 
he craved. 

Fritz sometimes, it is true, resorted 
to deception to obtain what he could not 
have openly, and, as might be expected, 
that led to trouble. 

He was usually very careful not to 
play on his flute, however, until he was 
quite sure that his Majesty was at a safe 
distance. But with all his care, he some- 
times made a mistake, and Frederick 
William returning unexpectedly, heard 
the sweet strains of music. 

** Dare you, sir! Dare you disobey 
me? " The angry voice of the king ac- 
companied by a violent thumping of the 

floor with his walking-stick, — and a 
31 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

stout, heavy one it was, too, as many of 
his subjects had reason to know, — could 
not fail to strike terror to the heart of 
any boy. 

Fritz's trials would have been harder 
to bear had it not been for his loving 
mother and sister Wilhelmina. 

After such a scene he would go to the 
queen's apartment to pour out his woes, 
but, alas, even that comfort was after 
a time denied him. And only secretly 
could he get the love and sympathy he 
craved. 

Yes, surprising as it may seem, Fred- 
erick William began to visit his dis- 
pleasm^e even upon Sophia Dorothea 
and Wilhelmina whenever he discovered 
that they were trying to shield the 

Crown Prince. 

32 




The Crown Prince Frederick 

{From painting by Antolne Pesne.) 



BOYHOOD 

Perhaps, Fritz did not try as hard as 
he might have done to please his father, 
but it is certain that Frederick William 
made no effort to understand his son. 
And so the breach between father and 
son widened until it reached a climax 
at which all Europe stood aghast. 

I must tell you now a little anecdote 
about the King, the Crown Prince, and 
the Court barber. 

Occasionally some of the young cour- 
tiers and officers from the gay Court 
of France came to visit Berlin. The 
easy, graceful manners of the smart 
French noblemen, and their bright, 
showy apparel won Fritz's highest ad- 
miration. 

He liked the soft frills of lace, and the 

glittering ornaments, gold braid and 
33 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

embroidery. Putting aside his longing 
for the pretty clothes, Fritz thought he 
might, at least, dress his hair after the 
fashion of these dashing young French- 
men. 

Accordingly, the Crown Prince ap- 
peared with his light hair curled, per- 
fumed and flowing loose and free about 
his handsome young face and shoulders. 
The ^King appeared to take no notice, 
until one day, feeling particularly cross, 
he burst out with, ^^ What, sir! would 
you be a French fop, with all your other 
silly ways? " He detested the French. 

To Fritz's dismay his Majesty sent for 
the Court barber to come at once to the 
palace. 

*' Cut that hair off short in front, and 
tie it at the back in the way a Prussian 

34 



BOYHOOD 

officer should wear it,'' was the peremp- 
tory command. 

Now this was a sad blow for poor 
Fritz. He was very fond of his flaxen 
locks, and had no desire to part with 
them. There can be no doubt but many 
rebellious thoughts passed through the 
royal youth's mind, when he took his 
place in the chair, and clip, clip, clip 
went those dreadful scissors! 

Over by the window sat his Majesty. 
The barber was seemingly so busy with 
his hair-cutting that Frederick William 
did not think it necessary to watch the 
operation, so read his newspaper. 

Seeing the King was absorbed in his 
reading, the sjmipathetic hair-cutter de- 
termined to save the Crown Prince's 

hair, — or at least, as much as he could. 

35 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

From the way those big scissors 
snapped, making such a noise, one might 
suppose the unfortunate Prince was to 
be left quite bald. But it was mostly 
a make-beKeve, and the barber reaUy 
took off very little hair. 

By soaping and brushing it well down 
in front, and arranging as the King de- 
sired at the back, it appeared to be all 
right. And so his Majesty thought 
when he inspected the finished work. 

King Frederick was outwitted, surely, 
but the barber took very grave chances, 
to befriend his prince. It is possible 
that the King would have ordered the 
barber's head struck off had he discov- 
ered the deception. 




Making a Soldier of Him. 



CHAPTER V 

MARIA THERESA 

ipv TIRING these troublous early days 
-*-^ of our Fritz's life, there was grow- 
ing up in Austria a beautiful and proud- 
spirited little princess, a few years 
younger than Prussia's Crown Prince, 
and much happier, let us hope. 

Prince and princess went their several 
ways, all unconscious of the destiny 
which would link their names together 
so that a history of the one could not be 
written without reference to the other. 

Princess Maria Theresa, the eldest 

daughter of Charles YT., King of Aus- 
37 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

tria, Hungary, and Bohemia, and also 
Emperor of G-ermany, was descended 
from a long line of kings. And these 
Hapsburgs— for that was their family 
name— had besides governed the German 
Empire for very nearly three hmidred 
years. 

Now it happened that one of these 
powerful Hapsburg Emperors, Ferdi- 
nand n., had taken advantage of trouble 
which had befallen a prince of the House 
of Hohenzollern and seized the town of 
Jagernsdorf and one or two smaller 
towns, and kept them from the Hohen- 
zollern heirs. 

These towns are in the Province of 

Silesia. Each succeeding Emperor kept 

firm hold of them, and no matter how 

much the HohenzoUems urged to have 
38 



MARIA THERESA 

their own restored to them, would not 
give their prize back. 

Little did any one think that a boy 
whom his royal father abused and mor- 
tified daily would one day rise up and 
cry, '' Stand and deliver. '* 

Time brings many changes. A Haps- 
burg still sits on the throne of Austria, 
but a HohenzoUern is the German Em- 
peror. 

A shadow lay over the royal family of 
Austria. There was no son to succeed 
the 'King. 

King Charles concluded to make a new 
law for his House, which would permit 
a daughter to inherit all rights of the 
kingdom, when there was no male heir. 

A very formal document, having a 

very serious-sounding name,— Pragmatic 

39 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

Sanction it was called,— was drawn up 
and sent to the different rulers of Eu- 
rope with the request that each would 
agree to the new arrangement, and rec- 
ognize the beautiful Maria Theresa as 
her father's successor. 

Those who had no special interest at 
stake were willing to let the new law 
stand, while others, seeing a chance for 
themselves if Maria Theresa's claim was 
disputed, yielded very reluctantly to 
their Emperor's wishes. 

It did not matter one way or the other 
to Elng Frederick William, so he readily 
assented. 

Ah, beautiful princess, you had the 

stout heart of a man, but had you heen 

a man, what bloodshed and misery might 

have been spared! 

40 



CHAPTER VI 

YOUTH 

THE days, weeks, and months were 
rapidly passing, and still the mar- 
riage between the cousins was not def- 
initely settled upon. 

Queen Sophia Dorothea worried and 
shed many tears over the matter, and 
Fritz was quite unhappy, also, with the 
uncertainty. 

He had been told such pleasing stories 
of the beauty and gentle manners of the 
Princess Amelia, that, although but six- 
teen, he felt he was quite in love with 
this cousin whom he had never seen. 

George II., who succeeded his father 
41 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

as King of England, was never in any 
huny to sign the marriage contract, and 
so settle the vexed question. 

The English monarch's indifference 
angered Frederick TTilliam, and to the 
dismay of his family lie thi'eatened to 
withdraw his consent. 

Poor Queen, between husband and 
brother, she had a soriw time of it. All 
would seem to be going well and then an 
imlucky remai'k from Fritz would send 
Frederick TTilliam off in a rage, loudly 
declaring that all negotiations for the 
marriage must be broken off. 

^^ Xo. madam, no I This marriage shall 
not be.-' 

This answer to the pleadings of the 

Queen would send her weeping bitterly 

to her apartment. 

42 



YOUTH 

Finally, after many stormy scenes, 
Frederick William decided that his 
daughter, Wilhelmina, might wed her 
cousin. Prince Fred, if she desired, but 
—Fritz and Amelia? ^^ Never, never! '' 

This concession comforted Sophia 
Dorothea somewhat. She so longed to 
see her daughter Queen of England some 
day. But poor Fritz was thrown into 
the deepest melancholy by this decision, 
and stoutly maintained that unless he 
were permitted to have Amelia for his 
bride he should never marry at all. 

Another, however, had something to 
say to this arrangement. And from 
King George over the water came in 
quite as emphatic tones the answer: 

*' It shall be a double marriage, or no 

marriage at all." 

43 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

Bitter quarrels were now of almost 
daily occurrence between father and son, 
and frequently the entire royal family 
was involved in them. 

No one could tell at what moment 
there might be an explosion of wrath 
which would scatter them all, trembling 
and quaking from fear, to seek safety in 
some hiding-place,— anywhere, so long 
as it was out of the reach of one whom 
they had reason to fear. 

The King had ceased to resort to 
angry words alone, his stout walking- 
stick often came down upon the unlucky 
offender's head and shoulders with great 
violence. 

Frederick William's uncontrolled tem- 
per became almost madness the older he 

grew. 

44 



YOUTH 

Brave-hearted Wilhelmina continually 
incurred the King's displeasure through 
her loyalty to her beloved Fritz. There 
were other brothers and sisters now, but 
they never kept Wilhelmina from hold- 
ing chief place in the Crown Prince's 
heart. 

^ You will be greatly shocked, my dear 
young friends, when I tell you that it 
was not unusual for Frederick William 
to pick up a plate, when at table, and 
hurl it at his eldest son and heir's head, 
if that young gentleman did aught to 
offend. I do not think his Majesty's aim 
could have been very good, for Fritz 
seems always to have been able to dodge 
the flying crockery, and save for the lit- 
tle excitement, no damage, except to the 

plate, was ever done. 
45 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

And after a time the King would not 
permit either son or daughter to remain 
in the same room with him. 

In order to talk with each other so 
that their conversation might not be 
understood, Fritz and Wilhelmina ar- 
ranged a secret language, using nick- 
names for the members of their family. 
*^ Stumpy '' was the name they gave to 
their father, not very respectful, cer- 
tainly, but well fitted to his appearance, 
as Frederick William was short and 
stout. 



46 



CHAPTER Vn 

STOLEN PLEASURES 

rpiHE Crown Prince's military duties 
-■- now kept him at Potsdam much 
of the time. Still longing to play the 
flute as well as his old drill-master, Fritz 
consulted his mother about the possi- 
bility of securing a teacher, and taking 
a few secret lessons. It was a danger- 
ous proposition, but Sophia Dorothea 
was ready to gratify the Crown Prince 
if possible. The teacher was secured 
and arrangements made for the lessons. 
What unspeakable happiness for 
Fritz! Up to a room, far removed from 

iany his Majesty was in the habit of en- 
47 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

tering, Fritz and Ms teacher would go, 
and, with the door closed tight, the 
young Prince would give himself up to 
the full enjoyment of the music. 

But he did not trust to the closed door 
alone, for Frederick William had a most 
uncomfortable way of finding out things. 

Among Fritz's friends was a certain 
young Lieutenant von Katte,— remem- 
ber that name, for you will hear more of 
him by and by. This young friend acted 
as a sentinel during the secret music les- 
sons, by standing outside the closed door, 
ready to give the alarm should the 
dreaded King by any mischance happen 
to come that way. 

Think of Fritz, with his tight-fitting, 

plain military coat thrown aside, and 

wearing in its place a loose flowing 

48 



STOLEN PLEASURES 

dressing-gown,— and a red one it was, 
too— bright red, and beautifully adorned 
with gold braid and tassels. This very 
gorgeous garment was confined about 
the waist by a broad silk sash. That was 
not all. The pretty light hair the barber 
saved could now be combed out and al- 
lowed to flow free in the way Fritz liked 
so well, and his father detested. Thus 
attired, Fritz was ready to enjoy his 
stolen sweets. 

One fine day, teacher and pupil were 
having an unusually happy hour, the 
sweet strains of music soothing and 
charming the Prince and driving his 
troubles from his mind. All unconscious 
that danger threatened, on they played, 
—when suddenly the door was thrown 

wide open! Lieutenant von Katte rushed 
49 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

into the room, pale and trembling, cry- 
ing, " The King! The King! " 

Instantly all was in confusion. Katte 
seized the terrified teacher by the arm, 
and, catching up the music-books and 
the flutes, crowded them all into a small 
closet used for fire-wood, and closed the 
door tight. 

Our poor unlucky Fritz in the mean- 
time was making frantic efforts to get 
out of his splendid red gown and into 
his Prussian uniform again. The change 
was made in time,— but, the hair! It 
was impossible to get it tied back be- 
fore his Majesty made his appearance! 
Fritz's flowing locks betrayed him. The 
sharp monarch suspected that something 
had been going on in this out-of-the-way 

room, that he knew nothing about. 

50 




The Dressixg-Gown. 



STOLEN PLEASURES 

So, he began to look around. He 
peeped here, and he poked there. ** Ha! 
What is that lying in a heap on the floor 
behind the screen? A dressing-gown! 
A red one! " 

Furious with rage the King gathered 
up the gorgeous robe and crushed it all 
down into the fire! 

Gold braid, fine sash and tassels, were 
soon going up chimney in flame and 
smoke, while Frederick William contin- 
ued his search for more secrets. 

Next, the infuriated King discovered 

the books he hated—'* trifling French 

books; " out they must all go, too, but 

not into the fire,— there were too many, 

perhaps, to burn. The books were sent 

to a dealer, with the instructions, ** Sell 

every one of them." 
51 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

Here again Fritz found a friend. The 
bookseller did not part with a single toI- 
nme, but kept them and managed to let 
his young royal friend have a few at a 
time, whenever he could find the oppor- 
tunity to read them. 

I am soiTy I caimot tell you something 
pleasant about the early days of Prus- 
sia's hero. 

They were sad days, days full of sor- 
row and trouble to the royal youth grow- 
ing up to manhood. And darker, more 
tragic times were fast coming. 

King Frederick TTilliam was ever be- 
coming more cruel and exacting, even 
going so far as to suggest that Fritz 
resign his right to the crown in favor 
of his brother. August William, ten 

years younger than himself. Though 
52 



STOLEN PLEASURES 

grown sad and melancholy from his suf- 
ferings, he would not yield his birthright 
to another. 

To fly, far, far away from his father's 
tyranny was the Crown Prince's only 
hope. 

But how could he accomplish it? 
Mother and sister were aware of his 
secret longings to escape, and trembled 
at the thought. All knew the danger in 
an attempt at flight, for the Crown 
Prince was almost as much a prisoner 
as though under lock and key. 

It was now near the close of the year 
1729, and Fritz, as you see, was just en- 
tering his eighteenth year. He continued 
to bear with patience and dignity the 
public abuse and mortification which the 

King heaped upon him. And can you 
53 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

believe it, even that irritated Frederick 
William! 

'' Had I been treated so by mv father, 
I would have blown my brains out/^ he 
declared one day. 

It really seems as though he were try- 
ing to force that dreadful extremity upon 
the Crown Prince, and so leave the way 
free for his second son, August William. 



64 



CHAPTER Vin 

A DESPERATE GAME 

EARLY in the morning of the 15th 
of July, 1730, King Frederick WUl- 
iam, accompanied by the Crown Prince 
and several officials of his Court and 
officers of the army, set off from Pots- 
dam to make an extended tour through 
the country. 

Here, thought the unhappy prince, 
was his opportunity. Surely, somewhere 
on this long journey, he might find the 
way to escape. 

Their route would oftentimes bring 
them close to the frontier, and, with a 

55 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

properly arranged disguise, why should 
he not be free at last? 

Before leaving on this memorable 
journey, the Crown Prince held frequent 
secret consultations with his friend Lieu- 
tenant von Katte. 

Together they laid their plans. Katte 
was eager to serve his royal friend, and 
so also was another young officer. Lieu- 
tenant Keith. 

All knew they were playing a des- 
perate game. 

The King had lately transferred Lieu- 
tenant Keith to the military station at 
TTesel, on the western frontier, therefore 
he could not render any assistance, but 
would join the Prince in his flight, as 
soon as he knew the start had been 
made. 

56 



A DESPERATE GAME 

Into Lieutenant von Katte's keeping 
the Crown Prince gave his money. Poor 
prince, it was not much, for though heir 
to a kingdom, he was kept on a very- 
small allowance. In order to increase 
the amount of funds, Prussia's crown 
prince was obliged to borrow, and even 
to pick the jewels from certain decora- 
tions and sell them. 

Then he also confided to Katte's care 
a chest containing his private papers and 
letters, and also a great travelling cloak. 
All of these things Katte was to bring 
with him when he received the word, 
'' Come." 

Whether Frederick William suspected 

anything, I cannot say, but I do know 

that he called three of his most trusted 

old army officers to him,— they were 

67 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

General Buddenbrock, Colonel Waldau^ 
and a Lieutenant-Colonel Bocliow, and 
issued emphatie orders that, on the com- 
ing journey, they were never to lose 
sight of their prince for a moment. 

Now, that certainly looks as though 
his Majesty was a Uttle suspicious that 
something was going to happen, does it 
not? 

To make his way to England, and 
there put himself under the protection 
of his uncle, King George, and in time 
marry his pretty cousin. Princess Ame- 
lia, was the Crown Prince's plan, 

Alas for Fritz's fine scheme I How 

would it be possible for him to escape, 

with those six sharp, watchful eyes ever 

upon him? 

The three grim-visaged veterans rode 
58 



A DESPERATE GAME 

in the same coach with him, walked with 
him, and were his companions in sleep 
at night. 

Surely, the outlook was most discour- 
aging. England and Amelia seemed 
very, very far away. 

Town after town was visited and the 
days slipping by, and still no chance to 
elude the everlasting vigilance of his 
guards. 

At last, wearied with waiting and al- 
most discouraged from repeated disap- 
pointments, Fritz determined to make a 
bold plunge for freedom from the next 
stopping-place, come what would. 

That was to be at a town called Sinz- 
heim. 

In some way Fritz had secured a sec- 
ond large travelling cloak,— he was con- 
59 



FEEDEFJCK THE GREAT 

vinced that he would have to get along 
without Katte and the cloak he had ready, 
and so proeured another which he kept 
concealed,— or thought he did. But out 
of six eves, tivo are likely to see some- 
thing. 

Horses, however, were necessary. And 
good strong ones they must be, capable 
of travelling many miles without rest. 
How Tvas he to get them? 

There was a young page in the King's 
service named Keith,— a brother of 
Fritz's friend, the Lieutenant,— and to 
this boy the Crown Prince was forced 
to tell his precious secret, and to ask his 
aid in procuring the necessary horses 
and a coach. 

The royal page agreed to have both 

ready when necessary. Sinzheim was 

60 



A DESPERATE GAME 

the place then. ^' Have them at Sinz- 
heim to-night.'' 

Surely, misfortune followed this un- 
happy young prince. 

It was discovered that there were no 
accommodations at Sinzheim for the dis- 
tinguished travellers, so the King or- 
dered a halt to be made for the night at 
Steinfurth instead, a small village nearer 
than the town. Though greatly troubled 
at the change, Fritz would not abandon 
his plan to fly that night. 

^' The horses must be at Steinfurth, 
not Sinzheim." 

Although in terror at what he had un- 
dertaken for his prince, Keith, the page, 
promised that he would be there. 

The royal party did not go to well- 
furnished rooms in a fine hotel that night 
61 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

to sleep, at Steinfurth; instead, two large 
clean bams sheltered them. It was not 
unusual for King Frederick William to 
spend the night in a bam when travel- 
ling about the country. 

The Crown Prince and his ever watch- 
ful attendants had accommodations at 
one bam, while the King and his party 
sought rest in another, near by. 

The night was clear and still, not a 
sound was there to disturb the slumbers 
of the weary travellers as they lay out- 
stretched upon the bam floor. 

There was one in the little party 
whose eyes might be closed, but who was 
far, far from sleeping. 

What thoughts must have crowded the 
young prince's mind, as, pretending 
sleep, he awaited the appointed hour 

62 



A DESPERATE GAME 

when lie would stake all. Would lie win 
or lose? 

Ajid the young page? Apparently 
wrapped in deepest slumber, who would 
guess that the lad's heart was thumping 
wildly with excitement and fear? 

*^ Would it were over, and we were 
safely on our way to England." * 

At about two o'clock in the morning, 
—Friday morning, the 4th of August, it 
was— the Crown Prince rose cautiously 
from his pallet of straw, and after assur- 
ing himself that his companions were 
sleeping soundly, he tucked his new 
travelling cloak under his arm and si- 
lently tiptoed across the bam floor to 
the door. 

Giving a last glance at the sleeping 

officers,— yes, they certainly were fast 
63 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

asleep,— Fritz slipped the bolt, and stood 
alone, outside, with only the twinkling 
stars as watchers. 

Page Keith, true to his trust, was at 
the rendezvous. 

" Quick! the horses! '' 

Keith hurried to bring the horses and 
attach them to the waiting coach. 

All was going well. A few moments 
more and they would be galloping 
toward liberty and happiness. 

Ah, Fritz! can it be that as you passed 
out into the night, you were so overjoyed 
with your hopes as not to notice a dark 
figure glide swiftly by, and, opening the 
door you had so carefully closed, disap- 
pear into the barn*? 

Up to the sleeping Rochow the figure 
crept, and rousing him, whispered softly, 

64 



A DESPERATE GAME 

" The Prince! he is outside!— has on his 
travelling cloak! " 

The old soldier was on his feet in an 
instant, and followed his guide out of 
the barn, without arousing the others. 

Yes, there was the Crown Prince lean- 
ing against the side of the coach waiting 
for Keith and the horses! 

The officer greeted Fritz pleasantly, 
and did not betray that he had any other 
object in being there than a desire to 
enjoy the early morning air. 

But, when the astonished and fright- 
ened page appeared, leading the horses, 
Eochow said sharply, and with a look 
the boy understood, " The King does not 
require the horses so early, you may take 
them back." 

It was all over. Fritz had lost. 
65 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

It happened in this way. A note he 
sent to Lieutenant von Katte fell into 
the hands of another, bearing the same 
name, who, suspecting something was 
wrong, sent it to General Eochow. And 
the wary old general, fearing an attempt 
at escape might be made that night, 
posted a man outside to watch. 

Now, Eochow was not imfriendly to 
the Crown Prince, and would. I believe, 
have rejoiced to know he was free, only, 
his own and his companion's safety 
would be endangered should their charge 
escape while imder their care. 



66 



CHAPTER IX 

THE PRINCE A PRISONER 

npHE King might never have learned 
-^ of the night's doings, but for page 
Keith's guilty conscience. 

Pale and trembling, the young page 
climbed into his seat at the back of his 
sovereign's coach, when the royal party 
left Steinfurth to continue their travels. 

All that day he was in an agony of 

fear, thinking the King would surely be 

told of the attempted flight of the Crown 

Prince and his own share in it. The 

poor boy pictured in his mind the awful 

punishment the angry monarch might in- 
67 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

flict upon him. WIitI it was possible 
that his yoiing head would be the forfeit! 

By the time the royal party reached 
the fii^st stopping-place the tortured boy 
could endui^e the strain no longer. He 
resolved to confess all, and throw him- 
self on the King's mercy. 

Shrinking in abject fear, yoimg Keith 
fell at his Majesty's feet and faltered 
forth a full confession of all he knew. 

Had Frederick TTilliam been on Pras- 
sian soil when this secret was revealed 
to him he might have crushed the miser- 
able boy kneeling before him. 

"With a coromand that all knowing the 

secret should keep silence, the journey 

was continued. The anxious Crown 

Prince remained uncerfain whether his 

father knew of the intermpted flight. 

68 



THE PRINCE A PRISONER 

All doubt would have been removed 
could lie have heard the King sternly 
command the three guardians to be more 
vigilant in the future; and to hint that 
to return to Potsdam without their 
charge meant the loss of each of their 
heads! ^' Bring your prince home again 
living or dead! " 

Reaching Frankfurth,— a town on the 
river Mayn, — all was made clear to 
Fritz. His Majesty does know then? 

Yes, unhappy prince, you, with your 
three keepers, are to go on board one of 
the royal yachts anchored in the river, 
while his Majesty pays a visit to the 
town. 

The Crown Prince knew by this order 
that he was indeed a prisoner, and know- 
ing also what was the royal temper he 

69 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

prepared for a violent scene when his 
father should join him on the yacht. 

And what a scene it was! All the 
pent-up rage in the King's heart burst 
forth as soon as he caught sight of his 
unhappy son. 

Springing with the ferocity of a mad- 
man, Frederick William seized Fritz by 
the shoulders, shaking and throwing him 
about in wild fury, as he shouted, ** rebel, 
deserter," and other harsh names. 

You are shocked, and so was Europe. 
In all countries the strange conduct of 
the King of Prussia was condemned. 

Fearing that the King would kill the 
Crown Prince, the officers having him in 
charge succeeded in getting him away 
from his father, and hurriedly trans- 
ferred him to another boat. 
70 



THE PRINCE A PRISONER 

The royal yacht sailed down the Mayn 
and out into the beautiful Rhine. 

What cared poor Fritz for the old his- 
toric towns and fortresses they glided 
by? His heart was sore and heavy. His 
own troubles were overshadowed by his 
great anxiety for his faithful friends. 
What would be their fate? They must 
be warned of their danger, but how? 

Stopping at Bonn, Fritz was permitted 
to go on shore closely guarded. Then 
he found the means of sending the few 
words, ^^ All is lost. Away! '' to Lieu- 
tenant Keith, who, acting promptly, was 
well on his way to England when the 
King's orders for his arrest reached 
Wesel. 

But Lieutenant Katte, poor fellow, was 

not so fortunate. 

71 



CHAPTER X 

DAEK DAYS 

rr^HE news of Fritz's disaster came to 
-^ the ears of the mother and sister in 
a pitifully tragic way. 

It was the night of the grand ball 
given by Queen Sophia Dorothea in 
honor of the King's birthday. A bril- 
liant assemblage filled the magnificent 
ball-room at the palace. All were in the 
gayest spirits. Wilhelmina, forgetting 
her troubles for this one night,, was the 
merriest in the room. Xever before had 
there been such a fine ball. The happy 
yoimg Princess— such a lover of dancing 

—scarcely rested for a moment. If 
72 



DARK DAYS 

forced to stop, her little feet kept time 
to the music, eager to be off again. 

Poor Sister Wilhelmina! So free and 
merry. How could she know of the deep 
shadow which was slowly creeping 
toward her? 

'^ Your Eoyal Highness, do, I pray 
you, stop," entreated one of the Queen's 
ladies. But no, Wilhelmina could not 
lose one dance. Smiling and shaking 
her head, she whirled past the anxious 
duchess. 

'^ Look, look, your Eoyal Highness, at 
the Queen." There in a far corner of 
the ball-room, surrounded by a little 
group of women, sat Sophia Dorothea 
listening with pale and haggard counte- 
nance to the whispered words of her 

companions. 

73 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

The Princess hastened to the Queen's 
side, thinking at once that her Majesty's 
distress was caused by some bad news 
of her brother. Could he be dead? 

After hearing the story of Fritz's at- 
tempt at flight, the Queen and Wilhel- 
mina left the ball-room. All the joy of 
the evening fled, and in its place the 
deepest misery and despair. 

Lieutenant von Katte soon learned of 
the failure of their plans and realized 
the great danger he was in. To save 
himself he must fly! And without delay, 
—but there was that chest of letters! 
What should he do with it? He could 
not take the chest with him, and dared 
not leave it behind, knowing well that 
there were letters in it from the Queen 

and Wilhelmina which, if seen by the 

74 



DARK DAYS 

King, would bring both royal ladies in 
the gravest danger. 

So lie gave the chest and purse of 
money which Fritz had intrusted to him 
to Countess Finkenstein, a loyal friend 
to the Crown Prince, with instructions 
to convey the dangerous property safely 
to her Majesty. 

'^ The letters! Our letters! " groaned 
poor Sophia Dorothea in dismay when 
she beheld the chest. . 

^^ Open the chest and hum them," 
cried the quick-witted Princess. 

'' The key! Hurry, the key! " 

But there was no key to be found 

which would fit that lock! To break 

open the chest would betray them. They 

knew the King would ask for it as soon 

as he returned. 

75 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

I cannot tell you how it was done, but 
the chest was finally opened without a 
key, and the dangerous letters were 
quickly destroyed. 

But then, almost as great a problem 
confronted the distracted Queen and 
Princess. 

What would his Majesty say to find- 
ing an empty chest? 

Wilhelmina again came to the rescue. 
*' We will write more letters.'' 

Straightway mother and daughter be- 
gan the writing of new and harmless let- 
ters to take the places of those destroyed. 

Mght and day their pens flew over the 

paper, writing words which were safe, 

and carefully putting old dates at the 

tops of the pages. 

Finally their task was finished. The 
76 



DARK DAYS 

chest was once more filled and fastened, 
showing no trace of having been tam- 
pered with. 

Lieutenant von Katte, in the mean- 
time, did not make as much haste in get- 
ting away as was wise. He had ample 
time to be well on his way before the 
King's order for his arrest could reach 
Berlin. However, he delayed too long, 
and the order found him still there. 

All chance of escape after that was 
lost. 



77 



CHAPTER XI 

PRISON DAYS 

NOW let us see how the poor royal 
prisoner was faring on his journey 
homeward. 

The King was anxious to avoid pass- 
ing through foreign territory as much as 
possible,— perhaps he feared a rescue, 
but the niunber of independent princi- 
palities and states in Germany made 
that quite difficult. 

When they were safe on Prussian soil, 
his Majesty commanded that the Crown 
Prince should be brought before him. 
In answer to the King's demand for a 

^' full confession," Fritz replied there 

78 



PRISON DAYS 

was nothing more to add to what the 
King already knew. That unwilling to 
endure further cruelty, he had deter- 
mined on flight. 

This statement Frederick William re- 
fused to believe. He insisted that there 
had been some dark plot behind this run- 
away scheme, which the Crown Prince 
was unwilling to reveal. 

'* Perhaps it was to poison me, and 
seize the throne! '' 

To the King's excited and distorted 
imagination, anything was possible. 

Again he summoned Fritz, determined 
to wring a confession from him. When, 
however, questions and threats brought 
no more than the simple tale of flight for 
his own safety, Frederick Wiliam be- 
came so enraged that he sprang upon 
79 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

his helpless son with drawn sword, and 
would then and there have run him 
through, had not old General Mosel 
dashed between them. 

" Sire, cut me to death! But spare 
your son.'' 

The shocked cry of the officer calmed 
the maddened monarch. Replacing his 
sword in its scabbard, he stamped out of 
the room. Father and son did not meet 
again in one whole year. 

Orders were then given that the 
Crown Prince should be kept in close 
confinement in the fortress at Ciistrin, 
a town about sixty miles from Berlin. 

Had Fritz really been guilty of the 
crime the King chose to believe, he could 
not have been treated with greater se- 
verity. Stripped of his uniform, and 
80 



PRISON DAYS 

given a coarse brown suit of clothes to 
wear, he was locked in a strong prison 
room of the fortress, which was entirely 
devoid of furniture. There were only 
the dull, bare walls to look at. Not even 
a peep at the bright blue sky could he 
get in that miserable, gloomy prison 
room. Nor was he allowed to hear the 
soimd of a friend's voice. 

And so fearful was Frederick William 
that his suffering son might end his mis- 
erable life if given the opportunity, the 
prison authorities were commanded to 
cut up all food for the Crown Prince 
before giving it to him. 

Poor lonely Fritz! His beloved flute 

and even books denied him, he had only 

his sad thoughts for company. 

What was to be his own fate, or what 
81 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

cruel pimishment the King would inflict 
upon his faithful friends, Fritz had no 
way of knowing. 

As you may well imagine, the Queen 
and royal family looked forward to the 
return of the King with the greatest 
dread and anxiety. 

I am tempted to omit that home-com- 
ing from my story, it was so tragic. But 
then, Crown Prince Frederick's entire 
life was a tragedy. 

On arriving at the palace the King 
scarcely waited until he reached the 
Queen's side before he shouted out harsh 
and cruel words about her son, which in 
her anguish Sophia Dorothea understood 
to mean that Fritz was dead. 

*^ God, my son, my son! " she 
moaned. 

82 



PRISON DAYS 

Poor grief-stricken Wilhelmina fell 
fainting into the arms of a lady-in-wait- 
ing. 

Frederick William called for the 
sealed chest,— here in this chest would 
be the proof of the hideous plot, he 
thought. With the chest in his own 
hands, he walked heavily out of the 
room. 

We know how it was that the letters 
he read so eagerly were in fact very 
harmless epistles. 

Failing to find the evidence he was 

looking for, Frederick William returned 

to his family. As soon as he saw his 

daughter Wilhelmina, rage and fury 

took possession of him. Rushing at the 

poor girl like a mad man, all the while 

shouting in a loud voice, the King seized 

83 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

her with one hand and struck blow after 
blow upon her young head and shoulders 
with the other. 

Relaxing his hold for a second, the 
princess reeled, fainting, and but for the 
quick action of a lady-in-waiting, who 
caught her as she fell. Princess Wilhel- 
mina would have been seriously injured 
by striking her head against the sharp 
casement. 

During this tragic scene the Queen, 
Sophia Dorothea, half-crazed from grief 
and terror, rushed wildly back and forth 
wringing her hands and uttering piercing 
shrieks. 

The two youngest children in the royal 
family— a tiny prince of four and a little 
princess six years of age— courageously 
dropped on their knees before the frown- 

84 



PRISON DAYS 

ing King, their father, crying, *' Oh, your 
Majesty, don't kill Wilhelmina; please, 
please spare our dear sister! '' 

As the Princess Wilhelmina, herself, 
has given us the account of this disgrace- 
ful scene in her diary, we know it is all 
too true, incredible as it seems that a king 
could so far forget himself. 

Such a tumult could not fail to attract 
attention from outside. Soon little 
groups of men and women gathered be- 
fore the palace and stood listening to 
the unseemly uproar within. And it 
became necessary to call out the Guards 
to disperse them. 

It was not until after the King's fury 

had calmed somewhat, that he informed 

his family that Fritz was not dead, but 

a prisoner, 

85 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

Frederick William's next act of ven- 
geance was to order poor, innocent Wil- 
helmina to imprisonment also. 

He commanded that she be kept 
closely confined in her own apartment 
in the Berlin palace, seeing no one, save 
one attendant, Madam de Sonsfeld. 

Simply for her loyal devotion to her 
imfortmiate brother. Princess Wilhel- 
mina spent one entire year in almost 
solitary confinement, while armed senti- 
nels paced up and down before the doors 
of her apartment day and night, as 
though the pretty princess were a dan- 
gerous criminal. 

This turn in the affairs of the unhappy 

Crown Prince put an end to all thought 

of a marriage with the English cousin. 

The excited King was sure that King 
86 



PRISON DAYS 

George and Ms family had a hand in the 
*^ plot/' as he continued to call it, and 
therefore would hear no more of mar- 
riage there. 

Frederick William even went so far 
as to threaten his son with the cruel rack 
if he did not *^ confess.'' 



87 



CHAPTER Xn 

A FAITHFUL FRIEND 

TjIREDERICK WILLIAM then sent 
-■- for Lieutenant von Katte. The 
young officer prostrated himself at his 
sovereign's feet, protesting his inno- 
cence of any crime greater than a desire 
to assist his Prince to escape. The King 
turned as deaf an ear to Katte 's expla- 
nation of the unhappy affair as to the 
Crown Prince's account. The unfortu- 
nate young lieutenant was led away to 
prison, there to await his royal master's 
will. 
It was finally decided that, as the 

Crown Prince and Katte were officers in 

88 



A FAITHFUL FRIEND 

his Majesty's service, they should be 
tried by court martial for desertion from 
the Prussian army. 

Every one known to have befriended 
the unlucky Crown Prince was punished. 
Some were banished, others were thrown 
into prison. 

And then, in an effort to keep the 
whole affair from being talked about, 
Frederick William annoimced that he 
would have the tongues of all who gos- 
siped cut out! 

As well bid the wind not to blow. In 

spite of this fierce threat, murmurs of 

disapproval were heard throughout the 

Kingdom. And in all foreign countries 

the unnatural conduct of Prussia's King 

was loudly condemned. Sovereigns of 

the different nations instructed their 
89 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

ministers to remonstrate with Mm, but 
all to no purpose. 

The Crown Prince's sufferings ap- 
pealed to all, and many were the devices 
to make his lot a little easier. 

I must tell you how a government of- 
ficial named Munchow succeeded in 
bringing little gleams of sunshine to the 
poor, solitary prisoner, deprived of all 
enjoyment. 

In the floor of the room above the one 

in which Fritz was confined, Munchow 

bored a small hole, and whenever it was 

safe to do so, this kind friend would 

kneel down on the floor and whisper a 

few words of cheer and encouragement 

through the little hole to Fritz, listening 

so eagerly below. Munchow next set 

himself to finding a way to smuggle a 

90 



A FAITHFUL FRIEND 

book or two to the lonely Crown Prince. 
He could not, of course, drop a book 
through such a small hole, and so must 
think of some other way. 

He thought and thought, and after a 
while a very odd plan came to his mind. 
Munchow had a little son about seven 
years of age, who, of course, like all boys 
of seven, wore jackets and trousers. 
Suddenly, however, to the bewilderment 
of all the neighbors in Ciistrin, the little 
fellow appeared on the street wearing 
skirts again! What a strange fancy for 
a boy to resume girPs dresses after hav- 
ing laid them aside! 

Then next the child coaxed to be al- 
lowed to see the imprisoned Prince. To 
be sure, the King's orders were that no 
visitors should be admitted to the Crown 

91 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

Prince's room, but what harm could 
come by allowing this small son of the 
Governor's to see him once in a while? 

None whatever, agreed the command- 
ant. Again and again the door was un- 
locked to admit Mimchow's bright little 
boy— wearing girl's clothes. 

How Frederick William would have 
fumed and raged could he have seen the 
row of deep pockets which were fastened 
on the inside of the lad's pretty skirts! 
He would very readily have guessed that 
books, letters and many other little com- 
forts had found their way to the royal 
prisoner through the means of those 
cleverly arranged pockets. 

The 25th day of October was the day 

set for the trial of the lieutenant. After 

92 



A FAITHFUL FRIEND 

deliberating for six days, the court ren- 
dered this decision, that, as the young 
officer did not actually desert, two years' 
imprisonfaent in a fortress would be suf- 
ficient punishment for him. 

Such a mild sentence as that did not 
satisfy Frederick William by any means. 
He put aside the decision of the judges 
and wrote a new sentence,— death! 

In vain did the unfortunate lieuten- 
ant's relatives and friends plead for 
mercy. Tears and prayers failed to melt 
this heart of stone. 

Early in the morning of the 6th of 

November,— only six short days since 

the trial ended,— poor Katte was taken 

to Ciistrin, where, by order of the King, 

his execution was to take place. 

Bravely, as became a soldier, he met his 

93 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

cruel fate and uttered not a word of 
complaint. 

The authorities at the Fortress of Ciis- 
trin had received orders from Frederick 
(William to transfer the Crown Prince to 
a room on a lower floor, having windows 
in it. The King was not relenting. Oh, 
no! he was planning additional punish- 
ment and this change was made simply 
that his son might look upon his friend, 
as he went to his doom. 

Only a mind inflamed by passion, im- 
moderate smoking, and stimulants, as 
was Frederick William's, could have 
planned such cruelty. 

The Crown Prince was left in igno- 
rance of his friend's fate, until he saw 
him from the window conducted to the 
gallows. Then in anguish, he cried: ** In 
94 



A FAITHFUL FRIEND 

the name of God, I ask you stop the exe- 
cution till I write to the Elingl " A vain 
cry. The plan for his punishment had 
succeeded. 

'' Pardon me, dear Katte," he called, 
his voice choked with sobs. 

^' Death is sweet for a prince I love 
so well,'^ replied the brave, loyal young 
officer, even smiling pleasantly as he 
looked up into his royal friend's ago- 
nized face. 

As the mournful little procession 
passed out of sight, Fritz fainted. 

Later when it became known that the 
Crown Prince of Prussia had also been 
condemned to suffer death,— for such 
was the result of his trial,— there arose 
such a storm of protest at home and 
abroad,— kings, and even the Emperor 
95 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

calling upon King Frederick William to 
spare Ms son's life,— that for once the 
t}T:annical monarch was forced to yield. 

Crown Prince Frederick's life was 
saved, on this condition, that he should 
take solemn oath to obey the King, here- 
after, in every particular, and never, 
never attempt to run away again. 

I think any one in Fritz's position 
would have accepted the terms offered, 
to save his life. Don't you? 

Frederick William would not permit 
him to return to Berlin, nor to rejoin his 
regiment at Potsdam. He was allowed 
to wear his sword, but not his uniform. 

In this same town of Ciistrin, where 
he had suffered the cruel imprisonment, 
a house was arranged and certain at- 
tendants provided, and there it was the 
96 



A FAITHFUL FRIEND 

King's will that Fritz should live until 
he had given proof of his repentance. 
This was the Crown Prince's home for 
fifteen months. He studied much during 
that time, learning many things which 
were of great value to him in after years. 
That morning at Steinfurth was, as we 
now know, the turning-point in Crown 
Prince Frederick's life. Had he suc- 
ceeded in escaping to England, I am sure 
I should not have this story of the life 
of Frederick the Great to tell you. 



97 



CHAPTER Xm 

WILHELMINA 

T)OOIl Wilheliniiia endured twelve 
-^ long, weary months of imprison- 
ment in lier apartment, seeing no one 
day after day, and week after week, but 
her one companion. Madam de Sonsfeld. 
And when we are told that the food 
given her was of the poorest kind,— and 
indeed a very small amount at that,— 
we know that she must have had a very 
unhappy time of it. 

A trifling incident happened one cold, 
dreary day in February, which gave the 
princess and Madam de Sonsfeld some- 
thing new to talk about. 

98 



WILHELMINA 

They were seated at the table eating 
their meagre dinner, and feeling, oh, so 
very melancholy, when, Wilhelmina tells 
us, '^ ,We heard a sharp tapping at the 
window, and started up in surprise to 
see what it could be. It was a raven, 
carrying in its mouth a bit of bread, 
which it left on the window-sill and flew 
away/' Then she adds, '^ Tears came 
into our eyes at this adventure. Surely 
this visit of the raven means good luck 
for us." You will be glad to know, I 
am sure, that it did have a pleasant se- 
quel. The story became known, and 
some persons were so impressed by it 
that they brought little dainties in bas- 
kets and left them where they could be 
found by the friendly maids, who smug- 
gled them into the princess's apartment. 

99 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

The good-natured guards very kindly 
turned away their heads so that they 
should not see anything wrong. 

On the 11th of May, 1731, emissaries 
from King Frederick William came to 
the princess to say that his Majesty 
would release her, if she would consent 
to marry the Prince of Baireuth. Poor 
Wilhelmina was in a great flutter of ex- 
citement during the interview with her 
father's messengers. The Queen, know- 
ing the King's plan to marry Wilhel- 
mina off, had written to her daughter, 
begging, imploring, and then command- 
ing her not to accept her liberty on those 
terms. You see, Sophia Dorothea would 
not give up her cherished hopes of a 
marriage between Prince Frederick of 

England and Wilhelmina. 
100 



WILHELMINA 

Wliat was the perplexed princess to 
do? She could not please both parents, 
that was certain. When told that a re- 
fusal would mean further suffering for 
Fritz, and perhaps lifelong imprison- 
ment for herself, she yielded, and sent 
word to the King that she would marry 
the one whom he selected for her. I am 
sure we need not wonder that she did so. 

In the following month of June, Sun- 
day, the 3d, Wilhelmina and Prince 
Frederick of Baireuth were formerly be- 
trothed. It is pleasant to know that 
Wilhelmina was pleased with her fa- 
ther's choice. Prince Frederick was 
young, intelligent and altogether quite 
agreeable to her. 

You will, I am sure, want to hear a 
word or two about the wedding of Prin- 

101 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

cess Wilhelinina, which took place on 
Tuesday, November 20th, 1731. 

I am glad to have something bright 
and cheerful to tell you, after such a tale 
of shadows and tears. 

The marriage marked the close of the 
long, dark night which had hung heavy 
over the royal household, and ushered in 
the dawn of peace. Never again were 
there any more of those painful scenes 
between father and son. 

The third floor of the palace of Berlin, 
called '' Grand Apartment," was as 
superbly beautiful as Prussia's first 
king could make it. The ceilings of the 
magnificent rooms,— there were twenty- 
four in all, I believe,— were covered with 
exquisite frescoes, and between the win- 
dows, mirrors twelve feet high were set 
102 



WILHELMINA 

in the walls. Of special interest to us 
are the massive frames of solid silver 
placed around all these mirrors by Fred- 
erick William after he became King. 
And he also added to the splendor of 
several of the finest rooms, by hanging 
from the ceilings enormous chandeliers, 
also made of the same precious metal. 
Even the balustrade surrounding the 
balcony where the musicians played on 
very grand occasions was of real silver. 
This seems like a great deal of luxury 
for such a plain, thrifty king to indulge 
in. It was, however, a luxury which 
could be turned to good account in time 
of great need, for the beautiful chan- 
deliers and frames could be melted and 
coined into money if necessary. 

There came a day when Fritz had rea- 

103 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

son to be very thankful for these practi- 
cal adornments his father had added to 
the " Grand Apartment." 

The high duchesses, the princesses, 
and noble dames of all degree, resplen- 
dent in silks and satins and glittering 
with jewels, made with the courtiers in 
gay attire a brilliant procession as they 
passed through these rooms to the grand 
salon, where the marriage would take 
place. 

Princess Wilhelmina made a very 
charming bride. Her wedding gown was 
of the finest cloth of silver, elaborately 
trimmed with Spanish gold lace. The 
train to this gown was twelve yards long, 
and of course it was held up by little 
pages as she walked. Then upon her 
young head she wore a royal crown. 

104 



WILHELMINA 

You are thinking of Fritz, I know, 
and expecting me to say that he was 
here at his favorite sister's wedding. 
But it was not so. King Frederick Will- 
iam would not consent to his coming to 
Berlin just yet. 

Balls and festivities followed this 
royal wedding, but only the great ball, 
which took place the third night after, 
has any interest for us. It was in the 
*^ Grand Apartment,'' seven hundred 
couples, all persons of distinction, 
danced that night. And the bride,— 
you have not forgotten how fond she was 
of dancing,— was on the floor constantly. 

Had the princess not been so busy 
whirling and twirling in the dance, she 
might have noticed a stranger when he 
entered the room. Indeed, he was one to 

105 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

attract attention, as he was dressed in a 
plain, gray suit of clothes, not at all suit- 
able for a ball-room. But Wilhelmina 
never looked that way until she was 
stopped in the middle of a minuet and 
her attention called to him. Even then, 
she did not recognize her brother. Crown 
Prince Frederick. He was so changed 
she had to be told that it was Fritz. 
Then in an ecstasy of joy, Wilhelmina 
flew across the room with her arms ex- 
tended to embrace her beloved brother. 
She wept, and then laughed, and wept 
again, scarcely knowing what she was 
doing. When she could control herself, 
she led the Crown Prince to the King, 
and falling upon her knees she begged 
her royal father to grant full forgiveness 

to Fritz. 

106 



WILHELMINA 

This scene was so touching, that tears 
came to the eyes of all who witnessed 
it, and King Frederick William was soft- 
ened by this appeal and gave the Crown 
Prince permission to appear before the 
Berlin public, at the grand parade which 
took place the morning following the 
ball. How the young prince's heart 
must have thrilled at the enthusiastic 
welcome given him by the people ! Their 
prince was of greater interest to the 
crowd who flocked to see him than the 
fine military parade itself. 

Shortly after the opening of the new 

year, 1732, the wedding gayeties came 

to an end, and Wilhelmina and Prince 

Frederick, her husband, left Berlin for 

their new home at Baireuth. 

There was now no prospect of Prin- 
107 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

cess Wilhelmina ever becoming a queen. 
She cared little for that, however; in- 
deed, she looked forward with pleasure 
to the simple quiet life at Baireuth, after 
the tempestuous one at Berlin. 

The King gave further evidence of his 
forgiveness by returning Frederick to 
the army. He was not given his old 
command at Potsdam, but a regiment of 
infantry stationed at Euppin. Now this 
was certainly a very wise arrangement, 
as this garrison town of Ruppin was 
forty miles northwest of Berlin. So 
father and son need not meet very often. 

The Crown Prince devoted himself 
diligently to his military duties and gave 
entire satisfaction to the King. 



108 



CHAPTER XIV 

MANHOOD 

nnHE next important event in our 
-■- heroes life was his marriage. Fritz 
had long ago given up all hope of ever 
marrying his cousin, Princess Amelia. 
A few years back, you remember, he 
stoutly maintained that unless Amelia 
could be his bride, he should remain 
single all his days. He had not become 
weak and spiritless, through enforced 
obedience to the King's will, far from 
it. But our Fritz had learned the hard 
lesson that if there can be found no pos- 
sible way to get over a stone wall, it is 

109 



FREDERIOK THE GREAT 

folly to bruise oneself trying to butt a 
way through. 

This marriage which the Eling had de- 
cided upon was a pretty big wall for 
Fritz. In the first place he was so young 
and wanted to wait for a few years, but 
the chief objection was, that the bride 
selected for him,— of all the princesses of 
Grermany,— was the one he least desired 
to marry. 

Princess Elizabeth Christina, a daugh- 
ter of the Duke of Brunswick, and also 
niece of the Empress of Germany,— 
beautiful Maria Theresa's mother,— was 
Frederick William's choice. 

The marriage negotiations between 

the Eang and the Duke were all settled 

before the two most interested had even 

seen each other. 

110 




Crowx Pkixce Frederick. Pkixce August Wileiam. 

Pri>'ce August Ferdixand. Prince Henry, 

Crowx Prixce Frederick with his Brothers. 
{From 2ici'mting by F. C. Rusca.) 



MANHOOD 

There was a formal betrothal at the 
Palace of Berlin, on the 10th day of 
March, 1732. Crown Prince Frederick 
was agreeably surprised to find that the 
princess was very pretty. Rumor had 
pictured her to him as exceedingly plain 
and awkward. 

It must have been a trying ordeal for 
a girl just past her seventeenth birth- 
day, to find herself the object of critical 
attention from a host of notable persons, 
invited to the royal palace for the be- 
trothal ceremonies. 

I fear that the young Crown Prince 

was not very gallant during the days of 

his engagement. Elizabeth Christina 

could not fail to understand that she was 

an unwelcome bride. Her position was 

a trying one, and I am sorry to add that 
111 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

she never succeeded in winning her royal 
husband's love. 

After the first few years of their 
wedded life they lived apart, only meet- 
ing on ceremonious occasions. As Crown 
Prince, and later as King, Frederick 
never failed in courtesy or deepest re- 
spect, but he made no pretense of a love 
he did not feel for the wife whom he had 
never chosen. 

It was on the 12th of Jime, 1733, that 
this young Brunswick princess became 
Princess Royal of Prussia. In every 
town and village through which they 
passed on their journey from Brunswick 
to Berlin, the future King and Queen of 
Prussia were most enthusiastically re- 
ceived. I shall not take time to describe 

the parades, illuminations, and other 
112 



MANHOOD 

festivities in their honor. But just a 
word must be added to tell of their recep- 
tion at Berlin. 

Sister Wilhelmina had come from Bai- 
reuth to welcome her dearly loved Fritz 
and his bride. 

She tells us there was scarcely any 
sleep at the palace the night before their 
arrival, so great was the bustle of prepa- 
ration for the important event. And in- 
deed, there was very little time for any 
breakfast the next morning, for before 
the break of dawn, eighty fine carriages 
carrying the royal family and their 
guests rolled toward Charlottenburg to 
meet the royal couple. 

The new Princess Royal made her en- 
trance into Berlin riding at the head of 

the King's troops. The city was gaily 
113 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

decorated, flags and streamers fluttered 
from windows and housetops. Beautiful 
floral arches spanned the streets through 
which the long procession wound its 
way to the palace, greeted by the cheer- 
ing citizens who crowded every inch of 
space. 

King Frederick William provided a 
palace in Berlin for the Crown Prince 
and his Princess. And a fine mansion 
just a few miles outside of the city was 
given to the royal bride. 

Then, hearing that Frederick had 
taken a fancy to an old castle at Rheins- 
berg, near Ruppin, his Majesty very 
generously purchased it for his son. 
Frederick spent three years in improv- 
ing Rheinsberg, which became his favor- 
ite home. 

114 



MANHOOD 

Here he lived quietly for the next four 
years,— until an important event changed 
his whole life,— reading and studying 
histories of past wars, and military ex- 
ploits, and hearing accounts of famous 
battles from old generals who might visit 
him. 

And here we shall leave him, for a 
time, with his war books and maps. 



115 



CHAPTER XV 

KING 

TT is now the springtime of the year 
^ 1740, just seven years since the mar- 
riage of Crown Prince Frederick; and 
the King, his father, lies dying at Pots- 
dam. 

When Frederick William felt that his 
end was drawing near, he removed to the 
Potsdam palace. There, near the Griants 
he took such pride in, and surrounded by 
his old generals, he spent his last days 
on earth. 

Frederick came often from Rheinsberg 
to see his father. There remained no 
trace of the old bitterness between them, 

116 



KING 

now. Indeed, the dying monarch said 
to his friends, who, with the Crown 
Prince, were gathered about his bedside, 
** Am not I happy, to have such a son 
to leave behind? " 

On the 31st day of May, 1740, the 
stormy life of Eang Frederick William 
came to a close. Heralds, at Berlin, with 
loud trumpets' call, proclaimed Fred- 
erick n. King of Prussia. 

We have followed the Prince from his 
infancy. Now, it is the King, and soon 
it will be the soldier who shall interest 
us. 

You may, perhaps, think now that 
Frederick is free to follow his own de- 
sires, poetry and music, even red dress- 
ing gowns and curled hair, will concern 

him more than the affairs of his king- 
117 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

dom. There were many about him at 
that time who expected this and found 
themselves mistaken. 

But our Frederick was every inch a 
king. TThile he intended to enjoy— to 
the fullest extent— all the pleasures he 
had been denied, vet the welfare of his 
country was always to be the first and 
chief consideration. 

Frederick had been King but two days 
when he ordered the public granaries 
opened and the grain sold to the people 
at a very low price that they might not 
suffer from a famine which threatened 
them. 

And then on the very next day he for- 
bade the horrible practice of extorting 
confessions by the use of the cruel rack, 
—you remember he was himself threat- 

118 



KING 

ened with the dreadful torture machine, 
at Ciistrin. 

At the same time he made this new 
and just law, that no one should be con- 
demned without a fair and full trial. 

Often it is through our own sufferings 
that we are able to sympathize with the 
sufferings of others. 

And, then, there was the army,— 

would the new King reduce that?— was 

the question many asked. It is true 

King Frederick did not have the same 

admiration for tall soldiers that his 

father had, but he soon proved that he 

was as eager to have a fine army, for he 

took measures to increase his fighting 

force. The famous Potsdam Grenadier 

Guards were disbanded, and instead of 

giants gathered from all possible sources, 
119 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

four regiments of ordinary-sized men 
formed his guards. 

What a busy young king he was? He 
was here, he was there, he was every- 
where. He commenced the building of 
a new palace for his mother, ** Queen 
Mother,'' was the title he affectionately 
gave her, in place of the customary one 
of Queen Dowager. A very magnificent 
palace, ^* Under the Lindens,'' it was to 
be. 

Plans were formed for a splendid new 

opera house, and a fine French theatre, 

while balls, and concerts, and private 

theatricals were to amuse the young 

King and his guests at Eheinsberg. Oh, 

I could not tell you how many fine things 

were thought of in those early days of 

Frederick's kingship. 
120 



KING 

It was not to be all gayety, however. 
Frederick had not lost his desire to be 
a poet. He invited learned men from 
different coimtries to come to Prussia. 
I shall not tire you with their names, but 
one I must mention, as he came to be so 
closely associated with Frederick in 
later years. This was Voltaire, a cele- 
brated French writer, whom Frederick 
had long admired and corresponded with. 

The prospect was very bright for the 
young monarch. Happy days, such as 
he had never known, seemed in store for 
him. 

There was not a hint during these joy- 
ous preparations, that instead of listen- 
ing to sweet tones from violins and en- 
trancing voices in his new opera house, 

Frederick's ears would ring with the 
121 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

deep boom, boom, boom of camnon, and 
the sharp crack, crack of thousands of 
muskets, with an accompaniment of 
tinmipets and diimis. 

Just one little piece of news changed 
his entii'e life. He was destined to be a 
great soldier after all. 



122 



CHAPTER XVI 

SILESIA 

fX^HE busy happy months passed 
-'- rapidly. October came, and with 
it Sister Wilhelmina, to visit her brother 
for the first time. A few days after her 
arrival at Rheinsberg a special mes- 
senger from Vienna made his appear- 
ance bearing an important dispatch for 
the King. Frederick was at the time in 
bed all muffled up in blankets, suffering 
from a severe attack of ague. No one 
knew just what to do about disturbing 
him. 

But, as even sick kings have to attend 

to business sometimes, it was decided 
123 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

to cany the dispatch to the sick-room, 
and Frederick read that the Emperor, 
Charles ^T!.— Maria Theresa's father- 
was dead. 

This message from Vienna had a re- 
markable effect. Frederick rose at once, 
dressed, and, I believe, never again in 
all his life was known to have another 
chill. 

•. Now, I am sure you cannot guess what 
was in King Frederick's mind to make 
him so suddenly leave his bed and forget 
his sickness. 

I can tell you in one little word,— 
Silesia, 

It was on the 20th of October, 1740, 
that Charles Yl, died, quite suddenly,— 
five days before Frederick received the 
dispatch,— and a few hours after the 

124 



SILESIA 

people of Vienna were summoned by 
heralds to listen to the proclamation 
which made Maria Theresa, the eldest 
daughter of their late King, sovereign 
of Austria, Hungary, and Bohemia. 
Only five short months since Frederick 
had ascended the throne of the neighbor- 
ing Kingdom of Prussia, little thinking 
how soon war was to come. 
• To rush in and seize Silesia, and then 
demand from the young Queen, Maria 
Theresa, Jagerndorf and other cities in 
the province which he considered he was 
entitled to, was the daring scheme 
formed in the mind of the King which 
brought him out of bed so quickly and 
cured him of those terrible chills. 
Messengers were hurriedly sent to the 

chief of the army, General Schwerin, and 
125 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

also to the King's head minister, Pode- 
wils, bidding them come at once to 
Rheinsberg. 

Not one word of what he was thinking 
to do did Frederick speak to the gay 
company he was entertaining. He did 
not even take Wilhehnina into his con- 
fidence, but laughed and jested, and 
made merry with his guests, as though 
Silesia and war were far from his 
thoughts. 

In two days' time the old general and 
minister arrived and were closeted with 
their King. 

We can easily imagine their astonish- 
ment when Frederick unfolded his plan 
to them, and the doubtful shaking of the 
two older heads, as the enthusiastic 

yoimg sovereign pointed out how easy it 
126 



SILESIA 

would be to step into Silesia, and take 
what belonged to him. If it ever was to 
be done, now was the time. 

Queen Maria Theresa had taken her 
place on the throne of Austria as her 
father's successor, and different coun- 
tries had promised— as you remember— 
to recognize her right to it, as well as to 
Hungary and Bohemia. 

Promises are not always kept, how- 
ever, even among nations, and Fred- 
erick's quick mind foresaw, that not- 
withstanding all pledges, Maria Theresa 
would have great difficulty in upholding 
her claim to the inheritance, and would 
need all her resources to keep her crown. 

Let us now, my young friends, look 

again at Silesia. See, how open the 

province was on the Prussian side. 
127 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

And another point of weakness was, 
that Austria had been so busy for many- 
years past with wars on her hands, that 
needing all her soldiers, Silesia was not 
strongly garrisoned. 

Yes, it would be quite a simple matter 
for the King of Prussia to march his 
troops over the boundary, before the 
newly made Queen could send an army 
to oppose him. But, it is one thing to 
seize a town, and quite another matter 
to hold it, as the old general reminded 
his royal master. Frederick would not 
swerve from his purpose, however, and 
secretly and quickly prepared to carry 
out his design. 

Orders were sent to the different mili- 
tary commanders to have their regi- 
ments fully equipped for active service, 

128 



SILESIA 

also to summons all officers on leave to 
return to their posts. Then the proper 
persons were instructed to increase army 
supplies, and to see that all roads were 
thoroughly repaired. 

The King's commands were obeyed, of 
course, but no one, not even the highest 
official, except the general and minister 
he had consulted at Rheinsberg, knew 
what it all meant. Frederick did not 
want even a hint of his object to reach 
the ears of Maria Theresa and cause her 
to make preparations also. 
•* It was a bold undertaking. Prussia 
to throw down the gauntlet and chal- 
lenge Austria! And when the Prussian 
generals finally learned the secret they 
looked very grave, and doubted the wis- 
dom of such a course. The King had a 
129 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

fine army, it was true,— but it was an 
army more accustomed to the parade 
ground than to the battlefield. On the 
other hand, Maria Theresa could number 
many battle-scarred heroes, veterans of 
many bitter campaigns among her 
troops. 

Such military activity must sooner or 
later attract attention. 

*^ What does it mean? '' was the ques- 
tion all asked. 

And the representatives from the dif- 
ferent countries tried very hard to dis- 
cover the purpose of the young King. 
Frederick knew well how to keep his 
own counsel, and not until he was ready 
to move did he announce his intentions. 
All Europe was astounded at the bold- 
ness of his plan. 

130 



SILESIA 

'* What! March on Silesia? " cried 
this one. 
*^ He must be mad/' declared another. 
*^ Horrible, outrageous!" all shouted. 



131 



~ CHAPTER XVn 

THE SOLDIER- KIN' G 

Ijl AELY on the morning of December 
-■-^ IStli of that same year, 1740, the 
confident young King of Prussia entered 
the royal travelling coach, and with an 
escort of Life Guards and Hussars, set off 
from Berlin, at a rapid pace, southeast- 
ward, bound for Frankfurt, on the Oder, 
sixty miles away. 

There is now no further mystery, the 
curtain is drawn up and the first act of 
this war tragedy has fairly begim, while 
all the world waits breathless to see 
what shall come next. 

By keeping close to the river Oder, 
132 



THE SOLDIER' KING 

we can very easily follow the course 
Frederick and his Hussars are taking. 
Leaving Frankfurt the next morning, 
they pushed rapidly on along the line 
of the river for forty miles until they 
reached Crossen, where the King 
stopped. The Prussian troops had been 
gathering at Crossen for several days 
past, and Frederick made it his head- 
quarters for the time being. 

Now, he had but to step over the 
boundary to be in Silesia, and this he did 
on the second day after, December 16th. 

Pouring into the province from several 
different points,— old General Schwerin 
at the head of a division, while Frederick 
commanded the rest,— by nightfall nearly 
the entire Prussian army was quartered 
in Silesia. 

133 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

There was a very indignant young 
Queen in Austria when she learned that 
foreign soldiery were actually swarming 
over her territory! And when Fred- 
erick's minister at Vienna made known 
to her that his royal master, the King 
of Prussia, stood ready to furnish both 
men and money to assist in defending 
her claim to the inheritance, if in return, 
she would relinquish all right and title 
to Silesia, Maria Theresa's eyes flashed 
angrily and she scornfully spumed the 
assistance that was proffered on such 
humiliating terms. 

And, oh, how sadly she needed money! 
Her father had not left her barrels full 
of it. 

" Give up Silesia? Xever," the 
haughty young Queen replied. ^^ In- 

134 




Maria Theresa. 
{From painting.) 



THE SOLDIER-KING 

stead, I will send that presumptuous 
King back to Prussia, a much wiser man 
than when he left.'* 

Lasgen was the name of the first Si- 
lesian village the invading force passed 
through. 

'' We come as friends, and mean no 
harm to any peaceable person," was part 
of the printed proclamation Frederick 
caused to be posted up where the people 
might read it. 

Of course, there was nothing for the 
small towns and villages to do, but sub- 
mit and make the best of it. But when 
Frederick approached the fortified 
towns, he found them making hasty 
preparations for defense, and showing 
a determined spirit to resist him to the 

last. 

135 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

The three strongest were Glogau, 
Brieg, and Neisse. 

On to Glogau, the nearest of the three, 
marched Frederick and his army. The 
river will guide us again, in finding Glo- 
gau, as that town is also situated on the 
Oder, but further south than Crossen. 

Ologau was expecting the Prussians, 
and was in a ferment of excitement. 
It is not surprising, is it, when we recall 
what a short warning it had had of the 
unwelcome visit? 

General Wallis, the commandant, 
worked heroically to make the best de- 
fense possible. Having only a small 
military force, the inhabitants were 
pressed into service, digging trenches, 
and repairing and strengthening the 

ramparts, while valuable buildings stand- 
136 



THE SOLDIER- KING 

ing outside the walls of the town were, 
by the commandant's orders, burned. 
Mills, manufactories and even the tav- 
ern,— all had to go. Wallis would leave 
nothing which could harbor the enemy. 
When, however, he attempted to destroy 
the church, as well, the people protested 
against such an act. 

^^ But, the King of Prussia will use it 
for a blockhouse," urged the command- 
ant. 

'* Only spare the church for a few 
hours,'' entreated a citizen, ^^ and I will 
go out and speak with the King about 
it." 

Frederick listened graciously while 
the man petitioned him to refrain from 
using the sacred edifice for military pur- 
poses. 

137 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 



a 



My friend," lie replied, ^^ you are 
the first who asks a favor of me on Si- 
lesian ground; it shall be done you.'' 

When Frederick reached Herrendorf, 
about five miles from Glogau, he found 
a defiant message from General Wallis 
warning him that the plucky command- 
ant intended '^ to resist the least hos- 
tility to the utmost." 

This was on the 22nd of December,— 
only three days before Christmas, you 
see,— but it is doubtful if any one gave 
much thought to dear old Santa Claus, 
knowing an invading force was only five 
miles away, and all their brave general 
could muster to defend them was a thou- 
sand men. 

It happened, however, that the weather 

those December days was not favorable 
138 



THE SOLDIER- KING 

for active hostilities. Rain had fallen 
unceasingly for nearly a week, and then 
sharp, cold weather set in, covering the 
country all around with a sheet of ice. 
And as his siege-cannon had not yet ar- 
rived, Frederick concluded to blockade 
Grlogau. If starvation would not force 
the garrison to surrender, then at a more 
convenient season he would compel it to 
yield. Leaving Prince Leopold in com- 
mand at Glogau, Frederick pushed rap- 
idly on to Breslau, still following the 
river. 

The second day of the new year of 
1741 Breslau surrendered without fight- 
ing, and on the 6th of January, King 
Frederick was off again. 

It is unnecessary to tell you of all the 
minor fortresses which were forced to 

139 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

surrender to the Prussian army on its 
march to Brieg. A few prisoners were 
sent to Berlin and Clistrin. 

Brieg proved stronger than Glogau, 
and as the conditions did not favor harsh 
measures to bring the town to terms, a 
strict blockade was also formed about 
Brieg. Frederick then turned his atten- 
tion to Neisse,— the strongest and most 
important fortress of any in Silesia, as 
it was the nearest to Austria. 

Now we leave the Oder, and must look 
southwestward from Brieg and we shall 
find Neisse situated on a river of the 
same name which flows into the Oder. 

You are doubtless thinking that King 

Frederick's conquest of Silesia was a 

very easy one, are you not? He thought 

so also, and was in high spirits. This is 
140 



THE SOLDIER-KING 

what he wrote in one of his letters to 
Berlin: 

" Thou shalt shortly see Silesia ranked 
in the list of our provinces/' 

And in another, '' I announce to thy 
Serenity, the conquest of Silesia." 

It was his, surely, but the hard prob- 
lem he would soon have to face was, how 
to keep it. 

So anxious was Frederick to get 
Neisse settled quickly that, notwith- 
standing ice and snow, G-eneral Schwe- 
rin— who was in command— was ordered 
to begin a siege at once, when it was 
found that Commandant Roth was deter- 
mined to hold out against the Prussians. 

A week's fierce bombardment, how- 
ever, failed to produce the white flag. 

To continue the fierce cannonade 

141 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

meant destruction of the town, so Fred- 
erick withdrew the main body of the 
army, leaving a blockading force only, 
and waited for spring. The Prussian 
army then went into winter quarters, 
and King Frederick returned to Berlin. 
He had been away from his capital just 
seven weeks, and three weeks later he 
was back at his post again and very busy 
—strengthening fortresses, getting in 
ammunition for future use, and adding 
recruits to the army. It was work, 
work, work for everybody. When, lo! 
such a piece of news came to headquar- 
ters! '' An Austrian army coming with 
all speed to drive the Prussians out of 
Silesia! '' 

Poor Maria Theresa needed all her re- 
sources to protect her crown, so it was 
142 



THE SOLDIER- KING 

not thought possible she could spare any 
troops for Silesia, just yet,— but there 
they were on the way. 

And still uglier rumors reached the 
young King's ears, that a conspiracy 
was on foot among the nations, to stand 
by the young Queen in this matter, and 
after he, Frederick, was crushed,— to 
partition the Kingdom of Prussia among 
themselves! 

Frederick began to see dark days 
ahead. In his impetuous challenge to 
Maria Theresa he had not calculated on 
having all Europe arrayed against him. 
Yet his spirit was undaunted as he 
planned to meet the Austrian army. It 
was certain that he must get immediate 
possession of the blockaded fortresses. 

" Attack without delay," was the per- 

143 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

emptory order Prince Leopold, ac Grlo- 
gau, received from the King. You must 
picture the steep ramparts— thirty feet 
high— surrounding Glogau, as covered 
with a glare of thick ice, for it was still 
wintry weather, in the month of March. 
Back of these icy ramparts were deep, 
wide ditches, also frozen and slippery, 
and then came the great stone wall. All 
of which must be passed before the town 
could be taken. 

. In obedience to the King's command. 
Prince Leopold called his generals to- 
gether and gave them instructions for 
an assault to be made ** this very night." 
The Prince divided his force into three 
separate divisions. One was to move up 
the river toward Glogau, the second, to 

come down the river, while the third di- 
144 



THE SOLDIER -KING 

vision should approach from the land 
side. Absolute silence— not even a whis- 
pered word while they were stealing 
upon the city wrapped in slumber. 

*^ On penalty of death not a shot to be 
fired until you are well in the town.'' 

The signal for the attack was to be the 
striking of the midnight hour by the big 
clock on the high steeple of Glogau. 

The inhabitants of Glogau had long 
been tucked snugly in their beds, little 
dreaming of all those silent soldiers 
stealthily drawing nearer and nearer, 
and then waiting for their own great 
town clock to ring out a certain signal. 

The echo of the first stroke of twelve 

had scarcely died away, and before the 

big hammer could swing back for the 

next count, the whispered command, 
145 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

'* Forward," reached the listening ears, 
strained to catch the first sound of the 
leader's voice. 

Through the thick darkness, silently 
and swiftly the eager soldiers advanced, 
led by the Prince and his gallant officers. 
Up, up, up the steep slippery palisades 
they swarmed, cutting away barriers, 
plunging through ditches, and well up 
to the stone wall ere the sentries could 
rub their eyes and recover from their 
amazement. Boom, boom, boom then 
came from the cannon on the wall,— but 
too late to do any damage, for the Prus- 
sians were already battering down the 
gates and pouring into the town. 

Before the old steeple clock struck the 

first hour of morning, it was all over, 

and Glogau was Frederick's. 
146 



THE SOLDIER- KING 

What joy and relief for the young 
King when word of this victory reached 
him. He sent a letter of praise and a 
large sum of money to Prince Leopold, 
and each soldier received a reward of 
money also. It did not take long for the 
news of this night's work to fly to every 
quarter of Europe. In palace and cot- 
tage all talked of the brilliant midnight 
charge. 

On, on the Austrian army pressed,— 

ever faster and faster,— in spite of snow 

and ice, to reach Silesia before Frederick 

could win a second victory at Neisse, 

which would be disastrous for Austria. 

To storm that fortress was indeed the 

King's purpose. Busy days followed the 

fall of Grlogau, and anxious ones they 
147 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

were. It was so iineertain when the 
Austrians would make their appearance. 

Then April came, but cold and stormv, 
as the real winter months had been. 

Preparations for the siege were hur- 
ried forward, to be well over before 
Maria Theresa's troops came to inter- 
fere. What is this? The enemy already 
in Silesia? It was indeed too true. Gen- 
eral Xeipperg, with a large Austrian 
army, was in fact almost upon the King. 
Neisse was hurriedly abandoned, and 
Frederick gathered his forces to meet the 
coming blow. He was in a most critical 
position. Soon he would have to try a 
pitched battle. That the Austrians were 
coming was learned from a stray band of 
Hussars, captured by the Prussians. 

To cut them off was imperative. 
148 



THE SOLDIER-KING 

In a small village, called Pogarell, on 
the 8tli day of April, King Frederick 
and his soldiers await the dawn of the 
most important day since they entered 
Silesia. They hope to come up with the 
enemy on the morrow— Sunday— and try 
their mettle in their first open battle. 

It is no wonder that sleep was far 
from the royal leader's eyes that night! 
But instead of fighting, on that Sabbath 
day, they were nearly buried up in snow. 

A blinding snowstorm raged all day 
and night. Thick and fast the white 
flakes fell, and then, caught by the wild 
wind, were sent whirling and twirling, 
this way and that, filling the air so that 
one could not see twenty paces ahead. 
We should call it a blizzard. All thought 
of moving out was abandoned. 

149 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

Never since Ms prison days at Ciistrin, 
we may be sure, had Frederick been so 
anxious. Tbe snow, like a heavy veil, 
cut him off completely from any view 
of the enemy. He might be dangerously 
near or he might be far away. Who 
could tell? 

Monday, April 10th, dawned bright 
and clear. Over all the earth lay a thick 
carpet of glistening snow, two feet deep, 
and the trees bent with the weight of the 
white mass piled upon them. 

The Prussians were astir at an early 

hour that morning. There was all the 

bustle and activity of an army making 

ready for the serious business of war. 

Columns forming, infantry and cavalry 

getting in readiness to march, just as 

soon as the scouting parties returned 
150 



THE SOLDIER-KING 

with the information as to where they 
should find the Austrians. 

A certain young king we are all inter- 
ested in would have given much that 
Monday morning to know whither that 
other army had drifted in the storm. 

You are curious, too, perhaps, so we 
will leave Frederick searching, and take 
a peep at the Austrian camp. 



151 



CHAPTER XVni 

MOLLWITZ 

TN the storm of Sunday morning, Gen- 
-*■ eral Neipperg reached Mollwitz a lit- 
tle village only about seven miles away 
from the Prussian headquarters. There, 
and in the neighboring hamlets, he quar- 
tered his troops. Monday, the Austrian 
General concluded to tarry a day longer 
at Mollwitz, so that his soldiers might 
rest after the long wearisome march. 
He, also, had lost all trace of the army 
he had come so far to destroy. But that 
did not appear to give him any anxiety. 
General Neipperg looked upon the task 

152 



MOLLWITZ 

as an easy one and there was no need 
to hurry. 

By just the merest accident, Frederick 
discovered the whereabouts of the Aus- 
trians, and this was the way it happened. 

When scout after scout returned to the 
King's headquarters and reported no 
signs of the enemy, General Saldem— a 
yoimg Prussian officer — mounted his 
horse and rode forth to try what his 
bright eyes might find. Peering sharply 
through his field-glass,— North— East- 
South— West,— there was nothing to be 
seen but just snow, snow everywhere. 
He was about to give up and turn back- 
when away off in the distance he spied 
a dark, moving object. Looking steadily 
he saw that it was a peasant, struggling 

slowly through the deep drifts of snow. 
153 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

Putting spurs to his horse, Saldem 
galloped up to the solitary figure. 

'' Dost thou happen to know where 
the Austrians are, my good man? " he 
asked. 

'' Who, better than IV ^ was the reply. 
*^ Am I not on my way there now, with 
a change of linen for one of the Austrian 
officers? '' 

Straightway to King Frederick the 
young officer hurried with his prize. 

Frederick was convinced of the man's 
honesty and kept him to act as guide. 

With music and waving banners the 
Prussians advanced toward Mollwitz. 

General Neipperg sat calmly eating 
his midday meal when a party of Aus- 
trian Hussars dashed at full gallop into 
154 



MOLLWITZ 

the village, shouting, '^ The enemy! The 
enemy is upon us! " No more dinner 
for that day! 

Aides-de-camp were sent hurrying in 
different directions to summon the vari- 
ous heads of divisions, and as rapidly 
as possible a hasty plan of defense was 
formed. 

It was about two o'clock that Monday 
afternoon when, with martial music fill- 
ing the air, and flags flying to the breeze, 
the King of Prussia and his troops ap- 
peared. Quickly getting in line of bat- 
tle, cannon and musketry soon drowned 
the sound of fife and drum. 

Nobly the Austrian cavalry stood un- 
der a terrific fire directed against it by 
the Prussian artillery. Short of big 

guns, the Austrians were unable to put 
155 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

a stop to the deadly shower of shrill, 
hissing balls which fell thicker and 
thicker upon them. The quivering troops 
obeyed their commanders, " Steady, 
steady," as long as possible, and then- 
brave and tried men though they were 
—they began to murmur, and begged to 
be given a chance at the enemy in a 
charge. '' Forward! '' shouted their 
commander. General Eomer, and in- 
stantly his thirty squadrons sprang out, 
straight for the Prussian cavalry. 

On, on, they tore in wild fury, right 
into the midst of the Prussian horse they 
plunged, scattering and driving all be- 
fore them in dire confusion. 

Frederick was weak in that division of 

his army, having only ten squadrons 

there, so you see the Austrians were 
156 



MOLLWITZ 

three to one. In vain did the King, and 
their commander, try to rally the routed 
cavalry. Wildly and aimlessly it rushed, 
—hither and thither,— even, in blind 
panic, dashing between their own lines 
of infantry, drawing the pursuing enemy 
after them! 

Such an unexpected deluge of foe and 
friend as that was would be a pretty se- 
vere test for any body of troops. Too 
much praise cannot be given the Prus- 
sian infantry for its heroism. The lines 
reeled, then, closing up the gaps made 
by the trampling horses, poured a with- 
ering fire upon the shouting Austrians. 
In that awful confusion, it is not sur- 
prising that many of their own compan- 
ions received the shots intended for the 

enemy. 

157 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

Surely Frederick's &st battle was not 
going well I All seemed hopeless iniin. 
General Scliwerin and Prince Leopold 
lu^ged the King to fly before it was too 
late. 

Xow. my young friends, do not be too 
hasty in judging Frederick, when you 
hear that he did gallop from that bloody 
battlefield toward a jjlace of safety. For 
a general to have left his troops would 
have been inexcusable, but the King was 
necessary for the future. 

"With a small escort. Frederick spurred 
his horse on toward Opi^eln— on the 
river Oder— where he had left a small 
Prussian guard. Once across the river, 
and in the coimtry beyond, he would be 
safe and could plan what to do after this 
disaster. 

15S 



MOLLWITZ 

After a hard ride of many miles over 
the snow-covered ground, late in the 
evening— it was quite dark— the fugi- 
tives reached the gates of Oppeln. 

'' Who are you? " called the sentinel. 

^' We are Prussians, we come with a 
courier from the King,'' was the answer 
from the little party. 

Bang, bang, bang, greeted this answer, 
and over the heads of the astonished 
horsemen whistled the bullets. No one 
waited to question what it meant, but 
turned and galloped away as fast as 
their weary horses could go. 

You see, while Frederick was busy at 

the front, a roving body of Austrian 

Hussars had driven the Prussians out of 

Oppeln, and were in possession when he 

sought refuge there. 
159 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

The Hussars thought there was a large 
Prussian force at the gates. If they had 
known what a prize was within their 
grasp, how quickly would they have 
opened the gates, and Prussia's King 
would have been caught in a fine trap 
indeed! 

Poor, unhappy King! All through the 
lonely hours of that night he rode about 
the country, not knowing where to go 
or what to do. And his heart was sad- 
dened at the thought of all those hun- 
dreds of dead and dying soldiers, on that 
frightful battlefield. 

Exhausted, cold, and hungry, he wan- 
dered, until in agony of soul he cried 
aloud, ''Oh! My God, my God, this is 
too much! " 

Riding back for about fifteen miles, 
160 



MOLLWITZ 

Frederick determined to try Lowen, 
where he hoped to find his own people. 
Learning caution from the peril he had 
just escaped, the King drew rein at an old 
mill, a mile or two from the town; here 
he waited in the bitter cold and dark- 
ness, for the return of the messenger he 
had sent to see if it would be safe to ad- 
vance further. 

Almost alone,— for he had outridden 
all but two of his companions,— Prus- 
sia's young sovereign shivered and 
groaned in his saddle, while the chill 
wind whistled and shrieked about him. 

His messenger came back saying that 

the Prussians still held Lowen. Frederick 

iu*ged his poor, weary horse forward and 

was soon sheltered within the town. 

And now, what do you suppose was 
161 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

the good news Ms friends had to tell this 
troubled King? '' Victory! victory! is 
ours." 

Frederick's gallant infantry had saved 
the day. Firm and steady,— though un- 
der fire for the first time, the gallant in- 
fantry stood and received the fierce 
charge of the Austrians, hurling them 
back again and again. 

Five successive times, Maria Theresa's 
determined veterans tried to break 
through the Prussian ranks, who, like 
'* men of stone," waited until they could 
see the whites of the enemies' eyes. Oh, 
what an overwhelming fire then burst 
forth, sending the Austrians reeling 
back! 

General Schwerin then detected evi- 
dences of weakening and discourage- 
162 



MOLLWITZ 

ment at their repeated failures, and gave 
the order, '' Forward! " With banners 
waving, and joyous triumphant music, the 
Prussians advanced toward the disheart- 
ened Austrians. 

The rays of the setting sun spread 
over the marching host; their uplifted 
banners glittered and flashed in the 
light,— what wonder that the broken 
Austrian army wavered, and some there 
were, who even refused to meet the com- 
ing shock? 

General Neipperg, convinced of the 
hopelessness of the situation, ordered 
retreat. Away they went, at double 
quick time. 

*' Keep the soup hot, we will soon re- 
turn,'' they had called back, when leav- 
ing their unfinished dinner. But there 
163 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

was no time to think of soup, hot or cold, 
as the defeated army made its way back 
to Neisse. So, was MoUwitz, the first 
battle for Silesia, won by Frederick's 
heroic foot-soldiers. 

The news of this victory was carried 
to every quarter of Europe, and created 
the utmost astonishment. Prussia's sol- 
diers were renowned for their perfec- 
tion of drill and discipline, but their abil- 
ity as fighters had not been tried before. 
Of course, Berlin rejoiced greatly, and 
Frederick wrote at once to Princess Wil- 
helmina at Baireuth to relieve her anxi- 
ety and tell her the good tidings. 

But what must have been the feelings 

of Austria's young sovereign'? This 

great disaster meant more to her than 

just the loss of a single battle. Trouble 
164 



MOLLWITZ 

was crowding in upon her from every 
side. The powers of Europe, who had 
promised to support that Pragmatic Sanc- 
tion, I told you about, were one by one 
finding excuses to break their word, 
England, alone, holding fast to the 
pledges given Emperor Charles VI. The 
young Queen faced the prospect of hav- 
ing her inheritance , wrested from her, 
and divided among those claiming a 
share. 

A less courageous spirit would have 
broken under such trials, but this stout- 
hearted Queen bade defiance to the world 
and battled for her crown. 
% Give up Silesia to that ^^ robber," as 
she called King Frederick, she would 
not, on that she was determined. 

It was not until two months after the 

165 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

battle of Mollwitz, in June, tliat Maria 
Theresa journeyed from Vienna to Hun- 
gary to be crowned Queen of that coun- 
try. After the coronation ceremony she 
mounted a fiery horse, and with a sword 
hanging from her side, galloped at top 
speed to a hill, a long line of Hungarian 
nobles following. 

Arrived at the top of the hill, the 
newly crowned Queen drew her sword 
and with a grand flourish of the shining 
blade, she waved it to all points of the 
compass, saying in a loud voice, '' Let 
any mortal from whatever quarter com- 
ing, meddle with Hungary if he dare! " 

During all this time, Germany was 

without an Emperor. As Charles Yl. did 

not have a son to succeed him, it was 

necessary for the electors to vote for a 
166 



MOLLWITZ 

new ruler for the Empire. Maria The- 
resa desired to have her husband, Grand 
Duke Francis, elected to that high office, 
and then her little son, Joseph, might be 
Emperor some day. But in that, too, her 
enemies were working to disappoint her 
and succeeded, by jBnally electing Charles 
Albert, of Bavaria. The new Emperor 
lived but a short time, and the next elec- 
tion made Grand Duke Francis, Em- 
peror. 

You know well the sad story of the un- 
fortunate, but most beautiful. Queen of 
France— Marie Antoinette— who lost her 
life during the French Revolution; this 
Maria Theresa struggling for her inher- 
itance was her mother. 

We must now return to Silesia. Three 
weeks after Prussia's triumph the for- 

167 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

tress of Brieg was taken, wMcli left 
Neisse alone in the hands of the Aus- 
trians. 

Both armies then went into camp for 
the smnmer months. Rest, and many 
recruits were needed to take the places 
of those heroes left sleeping under the 
stars at MoUwitz. 

Maria Theresa's situation became so 

desperate, England urged and entreated 

her to make peace with the King of 

Prussia; so that she might be free to 

deal with the more dangerous enemies 

who were pushing her to the wall. What 

was Silesia compared to her kingdom? 

The Queen finally yielded so far as to 

offer Frederick one-half of the province, 

in return for the proffered aid she once 

rejected. 

168 



CHAPTER XIX 

CHOTUSITZ 

fTlHERE were all sorts of negotiations 
-■- going on that fall and winter. 
Treaties of one kind or another between 
the different countries,— Frederick, him- 
self, doing something in treaty-making, 
which, however, never benefited him 
any. His surest friends proved to be 
his own loyal troops. 

In November the King took Neissc, 
and soon after, General Neipperg 
marched his army out of Silesia. Do 
not understand by that, the King's dif- 
ficulties were over, for in fact they had 

only just begun. 

169 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

Bv the time the spring of 17tt2 opened, 
Europe was in a sad tumult. Nearly 
all the nations, big and little, were 
making warlike preparations. Indeed, 
France had already marched an army 
into Germany to cooperate with the Ba- 
varian and Saxon forces. 

There was marching and coimter- 
marching of the Prussian troops all that 
winter, and in May we find Frederick 
had entered Maria Theresa's own King- 
dom of Bohemia, and was leading his 
army on to the capital city Prague! 
Now what was he doing there? 

Was the yoimg King of Prussia so 

elated over his success in Silesia that he 

had dreams of taking Bohemia as well? 

Not at all. Silesia and peace were all 

he wanted for himself, but he did intend 
170 



CHOTUSITZ 

making his possession of Silesia secure 
against any future effort of the Queen's 
to regain it. So for that purpose only, 
Frederick joined the allied forces of 
France, Bavaria, and Saxony, to seize 
Bohemia and proclaim the newly elected 
Emperor, Charles Albert of Bavaria, its 
King. 

The French were already in Prague, 
and Frederick was bringing up a divi- 
sion of his own troops,— Prince Leopold 
following with the main army. 

'^ Austrians are upon us! expect bat- 
tle to-morrow! " What a startling mes- 
sage to receive in the dead of the night, 
and no time for preparation! 

Frederick instantly turned about and 

hastened back with his own force to join 

his threatened general. The return 
171 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

inarch was begun at four o'clock in the 
morning, and by seven, or a little after, 
the Prussians— artillery, infantry, cav- 
alry—were all placed in order of battle. 
And then Frederick galloped away to a 
hill to see for himself just how near the 
enemy might be. 

Leopold had made no mistake. There, 
in plain view, was the Austrian army! 
Frederick's batteries thundered a morn- 
ing greeting— bang, boom, bang roared 
the cannon, while the Prussian cavalry 
dashed forward to attack the foe. 

The bright helmets and uplifted 
swords of the cavalrymen glittered in 
the clear morning sunlight. King Fred- 
erick, standing on the hill, followed them 
closely through his field-glasses, but ere 

long, the horses— galloping at furious 
172 



GHOTUSITZ 

pace over the dry, soft ground— stirred 
up such a whirlwind of dust as to hide 
both horse and rider from those anxious 
eyes. Only by watching every change 
in that tossing mass of yellow dust,— for 
really, all that an onlooker could see was 
a heaving, swirling ocean of dust, rising 
and sinking billow-like,— could the anx- 
ious Frederick judge how the conflict was 
going. 

Now and again, his eye caught the 
sparkle of polished steel as the bright 
blades pierced the enveloping dust cloud. 

There was death and destruction hid- 
den there! ^ut, seel the waving, strug- 
gling mass is rolling back, back, nearer 
and nearer it comes I Oh, that is a sight 
to sicken the heart of the royal watcher 

on the hill! Only too well he knows 
173 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

what it means, liis cavalrT is ^driven 
home! 

Then away to another part of the bat- 
tlefield Frederick galloped. A small 
Prussian force held the village of Cho- 
tnsitz; but after a stubborn resistance 
forced it to withdraw. And to prevent 
the retiUTi of the Prussians, poor Chotu- 
sitz was burned to the ground. 

Every division of the two armies 
fought desperately that day. It meant 
so much to Maria Theresa to win this 
battle. 

^* Just one more battle, only one more 
for Silesia, the jewel of my crown," she 
pleaded, as England constantly urged 
her to stop the war with King Frederick. 

General Neipperg had been reheved 

since his failure to di'ive Frederick 
174 



CHOTUSITZ 

home, and the command given to Prince 
Charles, her husband's brother. If he 
lost the day!— then Silesia must be given 
up. 

And Frederick felt that with victory 
his, back to Prussia he could go, and 
enjoy all those pleasures he had so sud- 
denly abandoned at Rheinsberg for the 
storms and strife of the battlefield. 

Such a life and death struggle as those 
loyal soldiers on both sides made of it! 
Picture to yourselves the Prussian ranks 
standing firm as rocks receiving, with 
swift deadly fire, the Austrians, who, 
with bayonets leveled, rushed upon them. 

Back! back they staggered from that 

fiery reception, only to form and try it 

again, each time with fewer numbers,— 

determined not to give it up, though cer- 
175 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

tain death faced them in those stiff 
Prussian lines. Again, and again, Maria 
Theresa's valiant soldiers hurled them- 
selves against those grim, resolute men 
of Frederick's, until they lay in heaps 
before them upon the ground. 

By noon— after four hours' ceaseless 
fighting— it was certain that the Queen's 
army faced total defeat. Prince Charles 
ordered retreat before it was too late to 
save any, and once more Frederick's 
weary soldiers could see the backs of 
their defeated foes as they made haste 
to get away. 

This was the battle of Chotusitz, 
fought on the 17th of May, 1742. 

Poor, haughty young Queen! She has 

lost her ** Jewel." 

The treaty of peace between the two 
176 



CHOTUSITZ 

young sovereigns was signed, first, at 
Breslau in Silesia, June 11th, and again 
at Berlin, July 12tli following. 
- This ended the first war for Silesia. 
The triumphant young Eang was enthu- 
siastically received as he passed through 
his new possessions on his way to Berlin. 
And with bonfires and illuminations the 
towns and villages of Prussia greeted 
their returning King. It was on this 
journey homeward that our hero was 
hailed for the first time as ^* Frederick 
the Great." 

We can be quite sure that Frederick 
felt very happy at adding a new province 
to his kingdom, and for the fine sounding 
title which his admiring friends used to 
adorn his name. Success and praise 

were perhaps sweeter to him, from hav- 
177 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

ing through all his early life heard so 
little but condemnation from his stem 
father, Frederick William. 

It is little more than a year and a half 
since the sick yoimg Kling jumjDed out 
of bed that day at Rheinsberg, with such 
a big project in his mind he forgot all 
about his chills— but Prussia has grown 
amazingly in that short time. 

Such a gay winter the Prussian Court 
had never known as that following the 
close of the war. There were balls, pri- 
vate theatricals, masquerades, sleighing 
parties by moonlight— in fact there was 
no end to the fim and frolic. 

And Frederick opened his splendid 
new opera house, the finest and largest, 
I believe, in the world at that time. But 
you must not suppose that King Fred- 

178 



CHOTUSITZ 

erick gave himself up entirely to pleas- 
ure. He knew the value of a well- 
equipped army and lost no time in filling 
up the ranks thinned by the cruel war. 
Then, too, new fortresses were built in 
Silesia and the old ones repaired and 
strengthened. 

The two years of peace *were very, 
very busy ones for our hero. Neverthe- 
less, he found time to begin the writing 
of his memoirs, and also to plan the 
building of a new home for himself, at 
Potsdam. A cottage-palace we might 
call it; only one story high, as you will 
see by the picture. When tired of the 
giddy whirl of court life, he could retire 
to this little palace and enjoy a few quiet 
days with his books and beloved flute 

now so long silent. 

179 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

Sans Souci— that was the name of this 
retreat— became famous in later years 
as the favorite home of Frederick the 
Great. 



180 



CHAPTER XX 

IN AND OUT OF BOHEMIA 

/^NLY two short years of peace and 
^^ happiness when such disquieting 
reports reached the busy King's ears that 
he again buckled his sword to his side 
and leaving all he loved best, smmnoned 
his valiant troops to follow wherever the 
black eagle of Prussia should lead. 

A great change had come in the for- 
tunes of Maria Theresa. Through Eng- 
land's assistance she had been enabled 
to check the schemes of her enemies. 
Emperor Charles Albert and his French 
friends were foiled in the attempt to 

seize Bohemia— what if the Queen should 
181 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

be victorious over her foes? Might she 
not then try a bold stroke to regain the 
lost province? 

So in August, of the year 1744, King 
Frederick was off once more to do battle 
for Silesia. 

He carried the new war right into the 
Queen's own country. Over the border, 
and into Bohemia, the Prussian army 
poured, marching on to Prague. 

An attack on that city was begun on 
the ninth of September, and continued 
for six days, and then Prague, unable to 
hold out longer, surrendered. 

You may wonder what the Queen's 

army was about that Frederick should 

be allowed to bring his fighting men into 

Bohemia unmolested? It was because 

Prince Charles was busy settling ac- 
182 



IN AND OUT OF BOHEMIA 

counts with the French at some distance 
away that Frederick struck this unex- 
pected blow. 

Like a flash the news of the taking of 
Prague spread abroad. 

Another triumph for the daring King 
of Prussia! 

Reverses will sometimes come to the 
most successful in every line. It is cer- 
tain that the tide of good fortune which 
up to this time had carried our hero along 
so smoothly turned, after that victory at 
Prague. 

Perhaps it was well it did, for if he 
had never tasted the bitterness of defeat, 
he might have imagined that he could 
conquer the whole world. Too much suc- 
cess very often has a strange effect on 

persons. 

183 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

Leaving a garrison for the protection 
of Prague, the King with the army 
marched away, intending to secure two 
other towns near the Austrian border. 
Here his troubles began. The hostile in- 
habitants of Bohemia annoyed and har- 
assed the invaders as much as they pos- 
sibly could. 

. Never during this Bohemian cam- 
paign, nor in any other, did Frederick 
the Great assume the role of a conquer- 
ing hero toward the non-combatants. 
His business was with the fighting men, 
and he never willingly inflicted unneces- 
sary hardships on the people. Any ne- 
cessities for his army were promptly paid 
for. But here in Bohemia, there did not 
seem to be any meal or grain to buy at 

any price. Everything eatable mysteri- 
184 



7A^ AND OUT OF BOHEMIA 

ously disappeared as soon as the Prus- 
sians came in sight. 

Now that was bad. A hungry army 
can neither fight nor march very well. 
And besides, the country swarmed with 
wild hordes of Pandours. These Pan- 
dours were foot soldiers from lower 
Hungary, a rough, undisciplined class. 
The troublesome Pandours followed the 
army and did considerable mischief. 

The King sent an orderly with an im- 
portant message to one of his generals. 
Orderly did not return. He sent a sec- 
ond, this one never came back— a third 
—fourth— fifth and even sixth followed, 
and still no answer! Each in turn had 
been captured by these roving bands of 
Pandours. And they also made way 
with three letter bags. Now that was 

185 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

pretty serious, was it not? In the ene- 
my's country, hungry, and communica- 
tion with his other divisions cut off! 
When Frederick did finally get news of 
what was going on aroimd him, this it 
was,— that Prince Charles, with his 
army, was after him,— and very close he 
was, too! 

To the King's mind, there was only 
one thing to do, and that was to meet 
the enemy and give battle before himger 
weakened his troops so that they could 
not fight. 

But Prince Charles was just as desir- 
ous of avoiding that meeting as long as 
possible. His pohcy was to cut Fred- 
erick off from all communication with 
the garrison at Prague, and prevent food 

supplies from reaching his army. 
186 



IN AND OUT OF BOHEMIA 

So no matter how adroitly the young 
royal leader manoeuvred to comer 
Prince Charles and force a battle, that 
wary commander would elude him. He 
had been through one battle with King 
Frederick and the memory was not pleas- 
ant. 

The Prince would rather win a vic- 
tory over the King through starvation 
and sickness, than risk a trial at arms. 

One cannot fight if there is no one to 
fight with. Consequently there was no 
other course then for Frederick but to 
make his way home again in the best 
possible manner. 

It was hard to abandon Prague, so 

lately taken, and all those fine pieces of 

artillery he had stored in the city for 

future use, but there was no help for it. 
187 



FREDERICK TEE GREAT 

In due time, the Pinissian army was 
across the line and into Silesia. The Bo- 
hemian invasion Tras a sad failure. And 
yet not altogether a failuiT, for our sol- 
dier-king learned many valuable lessons 
from that experience, which aided hiTn in 
other campaigns. 

If Frederick had any friends among 
the rulers of Europe, none came forward 
with sympathy for him in this houi^ of 
misery and deejD hmniliation, and as 
for Maria Theresa, she fairly bubbled 
over with delight when she heard of the 
retreat from Bohemia. 

^^ Xow, now. is the time to regain my 
jewel, Silesia," she cried. 

Oh. what joy to snatch the prize out of 

her wicked neighbor's grasp! 

*^ On, on to Silesia, my brave hearts, 
188 



IN AND OUT OF BOHEMIA 

and bring me back my own again,'' she 
exultantly commanded. 

All shared in the belief that Frederick 
was crushed and disheartened, and that 
his men had lost their fine spirit. We 
shall see. 

' During that winter, King Frederick 
was busy strengthening his defenses, 
and getting his army in condition to 
meet the blow which he knew would be 
struck so soon as spring opened. 

Not crushed by any means, but sorely 
tried. Money was needed, his funds 
were running low— war is such a costly 
business. 

Here was a monarch who was unwill- 
ing to put a heavier burden upon his 
people by an extra war tax. Still, money 
he must have. Well, there were all those 

189 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

beautifiil silver frames, chandeliers and 
balcony railings in tlie palace at Berlin. 
They would have to go. The time had 
come for them to serve a different pur- 
pose. 

In the darkness of the night men went 
to the palace, in obedience to the King's 
orders, and, with hammers and chisels, 
tore out the precious ornaments and car- 
ried them to the mint. Soon they were 
all changed into bright, new coins which 
quickly found their way into soldiers' 
pockets and various other places. 

The world was all against the King of 
Prussia. Indeed, there was a feeling of 
delight that the ambitious young King 
had received such a check. And to add 
to the seriousness of his situation. Sax- 
ony had openly joined with Maria The- 
190 



IN AND OUT OF BOHEMIA 

resa in her new effort to crush him. 
Berlin was in a greatly agitated state. 
It was more than likely that Maria The- 
resa's Saxon friends would pay an un- 
welcome visit to the capital! 

Surely Frederick's position was a des- 
perate one. Those dreadful Hungarian 
Pandours swarmed into Silesia ahead of 
the Austrian and Saxon armies, which 
day by day were drawing nearer and 
nearer, saying: 

" Ah! we shall soon restore this * fair- 
est jewel of her crown ' to our heroic 
young Queen." 



191 



CHAPTER XXI 

HOHEXFRIEDBURG 

XT was in the spring of the year 1745 
-*- that Frederick awaited the coming 
of his enemies, grimly determined that 
both he and his army should be totally 
destroyed sooner than ^* give up one foot 
of ground." 

Now let us turn to our map for a sec- 
ond and find Striegau, which has three 
hills near by. 

Every day Frederick came galloping 

from his camp at Jauemik,— a few miles 

southeast of Striegau, and rode up one 

of these hills, which commanded a view 

of the moimtains separating Bohemia 
192 



HOHENFRIEDBURG 

and Silesia. Through his powerful spy- 
glass he closely scanned every opening 
in the grim, dark mountain range, for it 
was from that direction he expected his 
foes to come. 

: ^' But your Majesty, why leave those 
mountain passes unguarded? " asked the 
French Ambassador in surprise. 

** My friend,'' replied the King, '* if 
you want to catch the mouse, do not shut 
the trap, leave the trap wide open! " 

At last, one day— it was the third of 

June— King Frederick's long spyglass 

revealed moving objects through the 

gaps in the rocks! They were coming 

then? Yes, surely coming, thousands of 

them. With banners flung to the breeze 

and bands filling the air with martial 

music, the Austrian and Saxon armies 
193 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

streamed out through those mountain 
passes. 

Ah! how confident was that mighty 
host? '^ Blow, blow loud the bugles, 
and make the hills resound with the roll 
of the diamis; for to-morrow— to-mor- 
row, we rid our Queen of this trouble- 
some King of Prussia! " 

All during that afternoon and until 
a late hour at night they poured unhin- 
dered into Silesia. The newly kindled 
watch-fires lighted up the darkness of 
the night. 

Watch-fires burned also in the Prus- 
sian camp, and sentries paced up and 
down,— so the returning Austrian scout 
reported to his chief, and truly so they 
did, but what the scout failed to discover 

was, that those bright fires burned in an 
194 



HOHENFRIEDBURG 

empty camp! And the sentries were all 
that remained of the Prussian army. 
• Under cover of the darkness, Fred- 
erick's troops had silently— oh, so si- 
lently stolen away. Not a word spoken, 
nor the glimmer of a light seen, as they 
cautiously, stealthily slipped away to be 
in position to strike at the enemy in the 
morning from an unexpected quarter. 
Every man, from the lowest soldier in 
the ranks up to the commanding officer, 
was resolved to do his best on the mor- 
row. 

They had heard the whispered rumor 
that this combined army had boasted at 
home of its intention to wipe out the 
Prussians, and reduce their King to the 
position of an elector. 

^' Elector, indeed, let them try it! '' 
195 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

It was toward those tliree hills of 
Striegau and Hohenfriedburg that those 
silent soldiers of Prussia were making 
their way that night— sometimes wading 
through streams of water up to their 
waists. There was no rest for them, nor 
any sleep, and neither rest nor sleep 
could be expected on the coming day 
save only for those who should fall 
asleep to wake no more. 

Before the sun rose in the morning the 
Prussians astonished the Saxon force at 
Striegau by a morning greeting of shot 
and shell! A fierce conflict followed for 
the possession of those important hills. 

Maria Theresa's Saxon allies fought 
desperately for her, heroically contest- 
ing every inch of ground gained by her 

foe. Two hours only, and then what re- 
196 



HOHENFRIEDBURG 

mained of the Saxon army was pushed 
back to those mountain passes through 
which it had come so gloriously only the 
day before— a thoroughly beaten army. 

Where was Prince Charles all this 
time, that he did not come to the assist- 
ance of his allies'? Finishing his morn- 
ing sleep. And not until he was aroused 
by the startling news that the Prussians 
were advancing upon him, did he learn 
of the disaster to his friends. 

In the furious battle then fought near 
Hohenfriedburg, the Austrians fared no 
better than did the Saxons. Prince 
Charles was completely overwhelmed, 
suffering a total defeat. 

At even such an early hour as eight 

o'clock that morning, he, too, was in 

retreat; making for the mountains and 
197 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

home again as fast as possible. But 
there were no waving flags nor joyous 
music this time. 

Frederick the Great could count this 
battle of Hohenfriedburg surely a tri- 
umph, a glorious victory— though at the 
cost of thousands of brave lives. Both 
sides had lost heavily. 

Following the retreating enemy the 
next day, Frederick drove him further 
into Bohemia. 

Both armies then went into camp in 
Bohemia, Prince Charles at Konigsgratz, 
a fortified town, while King Frederick 
stationed himself at Chlum, a small vil- 
lage, near enough to Konigsgratz, to 
watch his foe. Prince Charles also kept 
a pretty sharp lookout on all that was 

doing in the Prussian camp. 
198 



HOHENFRIEDBURG 

Each day, King and Prince would 
mount a convenient hill, and through 
their long spy-glasses look closely for 
any suspicious movements the other 
might be making. 

How King Frederick longed for peace 
those days! Again England urged Maria 
Theresa to make friends with Frederick 
—but to no purpose—*^ Give me just one 
more battle,'' she implored, *^ just one 
more." 

The fearful game of war between the 
beautiful, high-spirited young Queen 
and the ambitious King must be played 
to the bitter end! 

Through his glass Frederick could see 

reinforcements pouring into Konigs- 

gratz— ten thousand fresh soldiers at 

one time— and seven thousand at an- 
199 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

other! But there were none coming to 
him. He was in fact growing weaker 
and weaker day by day from the neces- 
sity of sending detachments to other 
threatened points. And to get food for 
men and horses was ever becoming more 
difficult. Prince Charles, among friends, 
had no such trouble, but found people 
ready to furnish supplies to aid him 
against the enemy of their Queen. 

Those were dark, gloomy days indeed. 
Bitterly disappointed over his failure to 
secure a new treaty of peace, Frederick 
finally decided that he could no longer 
remain in Bohemia. He must get back 
to Silesia before Prince Charles barred 
the way. His glass had shown unusual 
activity in the Austrian camp, which 

boded no good to him. 
200 



HOHENFRIEDBURG 

Keeping well ahead of the Austrians, 
the Prussian army picked its way 
through the rough, rocky country, every- 
where annoyed and hindered by those 
wild Pandours. 



201 



CHAPTER XXn 

SOHR 

"TN the month of September King Fred- 
-^ erick reached a point on his home- 
ward march where it seemed safe to stop 
and forage. But ere long an Austrian 
deserter came into camp and from him 
it was learned that Prince Charles was 
moving rapidly, and was already farther 
north than the King,— intending to block 
the way to Silesia. 

Not pleasant news surely, for this 
small force of barely eighteen thousand 
hungry men, who knew that the enemy 
was fully thirty thousand strong and 
with plenty of rations ! There was noth- 

202 



SOHR 

ing to do then, but to move on with all 
possible speed. 

^' Camp packed and ready to march at 
ten in the morning," was the King's 
order. 

It was not at all to Frederick's taste 
to rmi away from his foes, but this was 
a case where ^^ discretion is the better 
part of valor." 

While the Prussian soldiers were 
hastily stowing away camp furniture, 
and Frederick was in his tent planning 
a line of march— the Austrians were 
stealing through the surrounding woods 
in absolute silence, groping their way 
through the darkness of the night toward 
a small village called Sohr. The Prince 
was trying Frederick's successful tac- 
tics. What a surprise he intended for 
203 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

the King of Prussia in the morning? 

Before the dawn of day on the thirti- 
eth of September, 1745, the Prussian 
camp was a busy place. Here, horses sad- 
dling, there, army wagons getting filled; 
in another place, soldiers hauling artil- 
lery into line. And in his tent sat Fred- 
erick giving final orders to his officers 
for the march, '^ at ten, sharp "— 

** The Austrians! the Austrians are 
upon us! " cried an orderly rushing to 
the King's tent. 

What a plight to be caught in! Camp 
nearly packed, no breakfast eaten, and 
the enemy at the door. 

" To arms, to arms! " was the sharp, 
quick order, and seizing a field-glass 
Frederick sprang upon his horse and 
galloped out to a hill. It was indeed 

204 



SOHR 

true. There were the Austrians,— very 
nearly double the number he could com- 
mand. There was not a moment to lose 
—he must decide then and there what 
he would better do,— run, or stay and 
chance a battle? 

Could he order those brave men of his 
to run— in the face of an enemy? 

No! he would remain and stake all on 
a battle. Frederick resolutely deter- 
mined to throw his own poor, small force 
against the greater number without de- 
lay; not giving Prince Charles the 
chance to attack first. 

The faculty to think quickly, and act 
promptly, is a very valuable one some- 
times. I am sure you have all noticed 
that King Frederick possessed it to a 
large degree. Much of his success was 

205 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

undoubtedly due to rapidly formed plans 
made at a critical moment, where an- 
other, less ready, would have been over- 
whelmed. 

Soon the weak and the strong were 
locked in a life-and-death struggle I Oh! 
how madly, furiously they battled! 

Up the steep sides of a hill charged 
the Prussian infantry, determined to 
capture the Austrian battery holding a 
commanding position at the top and look- 
ing as if it could ne^-er be taken. 

What difference did it make if there 
were twenty-eight big guns spitting out 
death and destruction upon them? They 
were after those gims, and meant to have 
them. Meeting the fiery shower from 
above, the brave, intrepid Prussians re- 
coiled and dropped quivering, back,— 
206 



SOHR 

but only to re-form and try it again and 
yet again. 

When it seemed hopeless to make any 
further attempt to climb those dizzy 
heights in the face of that fierce rain of 
shot and shell, a small body of reserves 
came up to their assistance, and— well, 
Prince Charles lost his twenty-eight 
guns! 

Severely beaten at every point, after 
an engagement lasting five hours, the 
beaten Prince Charles and what was left 
of his army made off to the forest. Fred- 
erick, with the survivors of that terrible 
morning's work, returned to camp— and 
breakfast. 

After a five day's rest he continued 

his march to Silesia. There was no one 

to interfere with him now, and in due 
207 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

time all were safe on their own ground 
once more. 

On the 30th of October King Fred- 
erick returned to Berlin. Would Maria 
Theresa grant him peace now? She had 
had her ** one more battle.^' 



208 



CHAPTER XXni 

KESSELSDORF 

TT was generally understood that 
-'- Prince Charles had gone into winter 
quarters. On the contrary, he was just 
as busy as he could be perfecting a plan, 
formed with the aid of the Saxons, for 
the invasion of Prussia! 

While the Austrians kept Frederick 
engaged in Silesia, the Saxon half of the 
combination would steal into his king- 
dom and capture Berlin! 

A fine scheme, was it not? 

Every detail of this new effort to 

destroy the young soldier King was most 

carefully arranged and the greatest 
209 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

secrecy was to be observed,— for well 
they knew it was necessary to take the 
wary King off his guard, or he would 
contrive some way to thwart them. 

When a secret is given into the keep- 
ing of several persons, it usually hap- 
pens that one among them begins to talk. 
So it was in this Prussian invasion 
secret. One of the prime movers 
dropped a hint of what was going on, 
in the presence of a Swedish nobleman, 
who, it appears, was friendly to the King 
of Prussia. Hastening to Berlin, the 
nobleman told the King what he had 
heard. 

It was enough to convince Frederick 
that he was in great peril. 

A plan of defense was quickly mapped 

out. King Frederick hurried back to 
210 



KESSELSDORF 

Silesia to be ready for Prince Charles 
there, while his able old general, Leo- 
pold,— father of Prince Leopold, who, 
you remember, distinguished himself at 
Glogau,— would see to it that the Saxons 
did not cross the frontier and do any 
damage in Prussia. 

-. Now, this preparation for the enemy 
was also a secret— with this difference, 
it was kept a secret. So the Austrian 
commander confidently marched on 
toward Silesia. The wily King remained 
quiet until the right moment, when he 
also got his force in motion, straight 
toward the oncoming enemy. The van- 
guard of the Austrian army was found 
at Hennersdorf and completely cut to 
pieces. The next day the Prussians con- 
tinued their advance expecting to try 

211 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

issues with the main army,— but— where 
was it? Making all possible haste back 
home into Bohemia again. 

There still remained the partner in 
this scheme to be dealt with. Greneral 
Leopold, early in the morning of Novem- 
ber 29th, crossed over into Saxony in 
search of the Saxon army, seizing towns 
as he went along through the country. 
King Frederick stood ready to join his 
general when he had located the enemy, 
should his extra force be needed. With 
the ground frozen hard, sometimes cov- 
ered with snow, it was difficult for the 
troops to march; but on they struggled 
through Saxony to within a few miles 
of its capital, Dresden, before they 
found the army they were seeking. And 

then, such a meeting! 
212 



KESSELSDORF 

Near the village of Kesselsdorf were 
tliirty-five thousand of the enemy's sol- 
diers; and with such strength in big 
guns and position as might well cause 
even such a stout-hearted old warrior as 
Leopold to hesitate about making an 
attack. But the general studied the sit- 
uation and carefully mapped out the 
campaign, and on December 15th drew 
his men up in line of battle. 

When all was ready the old officer un- 
covered his head and reverently offered 
up a prayer for the help he felt they 
would need that day. 

^' On, on, in God's name! " he shouted 

at the close of the prayer, waving his 

cap high above his gray head. His men 

needed no second bidding, steadily they 

advanced toward Kesselsdorf, the ene- 
213 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

my's stronghold. Before them rose a 
high slope over which they must go in 
order to reach the village beyond. 

When you hear that on the top of this 
rising, slippery ground, the Saxons had 
planted thirty-one big guns, you will un- 
derstand what a task Leopold required 
of his followers when he cried, " On, on, 
in God's name! '' 

Up the icy sides of the steep incline 
the Prussians gallantly struggled to 
reach the top,— then down, down they 
were forced to go by the fearful deluge 
of fire which poured upon them from 
those thirty-one guns! 

Bravely rallying they made another 
attempt, again that withering blast of 
death from those black iron throats sent 
them reeling, tumbling to the bottom. 

214 



KESSELSDORF 

" Victory, victory! " shouted the Sax- 
ons as the Prussians slipped and stag- 
gered in this second repulse. And 
'' Victory, victory! '' was still their cry 
as they dashed out from their almost im- 
pregnable position down upon the disap- 
pointed Prussian ranks. 

It sounds very fine so far,— and per- 
haps many of those shouting Saxons be- 
lieved that when a history of that charge 
should be written, it would tell how glo- 
riously they had whipped King Fred- 
erick's men that day at Kesselsdorf,— 
but— something happened! 

Wise old General Leopold was quick 
to notice the advantage the Saxons gave 
him by coming out of their stronghold 
where he could reach them, and— the his- 
tory books record a great and brilliant 
215 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

victory for Prussia. Instead of Berlin, 
it was Dresden that was forced to re- 
ceive a conquering army. 

Three days after the battle Eong Fred- 
erick entered the capital. He greeted 
his successful general joyfully, giving 
him great praise for this victory. 

This battle of Kesselsdorf ended the 

second war for Silesia. The new treaty 

of peace was signed on Christmas day, 

seventeen hundred and forty-five. The 

very best Christmas present Frederick 

could have received was that document 

giving him Peace. It made it possible 

for him to return to Berlin, and try to 

forget the harsh discords of strife and 

battle through the sweet strains of music 

and pleasant companionship of friends. 

''Long live Frederick the Great!" 
216 



KESSELSDORF 

shouted his enthusiastic subjects as the 
victorious King drove homeward in an 
open coach. 

The streets of Berlin were thronged 
with an excited populace, cheering and 
crying, ^^ Frederick the Great! " ^' Fred- 
erick the G-reat! " 

Again at night Berlin burst forth in a 
blaze of light, as it had done once before 
in welcome to its baby Prince. 

Could Frederick William have known 
that his music-loving, poetical son would 
become such a hero how happy he would 
have been! 

Europe was amazed at the brilliant 
manner in which Frederick had over- 
thrown his enemies. Here, surely, was 
a young king fully capable of taking 

care of himself. 

217 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

And now we gladly turn from such 
harrowing scenes of death and destruc- 
tion, to look upon a brighter picture. 
Frederick at once applied himself to the 
task of repairing the enormous damages 
caused by the wars. He went among 
his people to see where assistance was 
most needed in rebuilding the shattered 
towns and villages. Every person re- 
ceived payment in full for any supplies 
furnished for the army, and all horses 
killed in action— indeed, even those cap- 
tured by the enemy— were generously 
paid for. 

Do not imagine by this liberality that 

King Frederick had barrels full of money 

tucked away in the cellar, as did his 

father, King Frederick William; on the 

contrary, any money barrels he might 
218 



KESSELSDORF 

have had were very nearly emptied by 
this time; and the strictest economy was 
necessary. 

You see, success did not make Fred- 
erick the Great indifferent to his people. 
He desired that the suffering from these 
wars of his should be as light as possible. 
And much to his honor there was no need- 
less destruction of property in the en- 
emy's country. 

^^ I would not henceforth attack a cat, 
except to defend myself," declared our 
hero as he prepared to enjoy the peace 
so dearly won. 

A little more than a year passed and 
the cottage-palace, Sans Souci, was com- 
pleted. King Frederick gave a splendid 
house-warming at which two hundred 
guests sat down to dinner. The cele- 

219 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

brated French writer, Voltaire, was 
made welcome at Sans Souci and Fred- 
erick—so glad to exchange the sword for 
the pen— devoted many happy hours to 
literary work with the great poet. 
. Again the Court of Prussia became the 
gayest in all Europe. There were won- 
derful balls, private theatricals and fine 
concerts. Then, when Prussia had been 
enjoying peace for about five years and 
the mournful traces of her dreadful ex- 
periences were gradually passing away, 
King Frederick conceived the idea of 
treating his friends and the people to 
a tournament— a genuine tournament- 
such as the knights of old engaged in. 

An amphitheatre of immense size was 
constructed in the garden of the Palace 
of Berlin. Richly upholstered seats 

220 




Queen Elizabeth Christina. 

{From painting in the Hohenzollem Museum.) 



KESSELSDORF 

were arranged on one side for the noble 
guests of the King, while along the op- 
posite side were places for the city of- 
ficials and their families and the citizens 
generally of Berlin. 

The night of the contest, thousands of 
lights of many colors twinkled and 
sparkled, casting such a brilliant glow 
that one might well imagine that glori- 
ous day had returned and chased black 
night away. A full band rendered fine 
music. 

Upon a raised platform at the head 
of the course were seated the King and 
Queen, also the Queen-Mother, Sophia 
Dorothea; the royal ladies each most 
splendidly attired and glittering with 
precious jewels. Just below, upon an- 
other platform was the King's pretty 
221 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

sister, the Princess Amelia, whose pleas- 
ant duty it was to present the prizes to 
the lucky winners. 

The gorgeous gowns, sparkling coro- 
nets and ornaments worn by the ladies, 
together with the showy court dress, uni- 
forms and jeweled orders of the nobles, 
made a scene of splendor never to be 
forgotten by those whose privilege it was 
to see it. 

The music, gay laugh and chatter were 
suddenly hushed by a loud blare of 
trumpets and all attention centred upon 
the entrance to the course. As the mag- 
nificent curtains rolled apart a large 
body of servants, richly and gayly 
dressed and bearing silken banners in 
their hands, came marching in to the 

accompaniment of lively music. FoUow- 
222 



KESSELSDORF 

ing these, rode the brave knights who 
were to try for the King's favors in the 
tournament. 

The signal given, away the knights 
galloped with lances poised, each eager 
to slip his long weapon through the sus- 
pended rings and, by his dexterity in 
securing the greatest number, bear away 
a trophy. Then again, with their jave- 
lins in hand they would rush with a bold 
dash to sever at a stroke a wooden head 
from its body. 

Our old fighting friend. General 
Schwerin, acted as one of the judges. 
This tournament was indeed a magnif- 
icent affair, and gave the people much 
to talk about for many days. But, my 
young friends, you are not to understand 

by these royal entertainments that Fred- 
223 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

erick the Great thought only of pleasure; 
far from it, for he was proving himself 
to be as good and wise a sovereign as 
he was a soldier. And he worked as 
hard in the upbuilding of his country as 
ever he did in the destructive business 
of war. Nevertheless, through these 
busy years Frederick's mind was not al- 
together at ease. He was at peace with 
all the world, to be sure, but Europe was 
full of war still. England, France, Aus- 
tria, Spain and Russia were engaged in 
settling their differences by the sword. 
When fire is consuming one's neigh- 
bor's house, it is well to be watchful lest 
the wind blow the sparks his own way. 
So, King Frederick kept a sharp lookout 
and brought his army up to the required 
strength and readiness. 

224 



KESSELSDORF 

I am sorry that I cannot tell you of 
a long life of peace and happiness from 
now on, for Frederick the Great. But 
instead, he only enjoyed ten years of 
peace— ten short years, when again the 
battlefield claimed him and Prussia's 
brave, loyal sons. 

Not only was Silesia in danger, but the 
Kingdom of Prussia was threatened! It 
was a fight for home and country this 
time; and at such odds. 

Austria, France, and Russia had 
formed an alliance for the purpose of 
crushing him. Just think how the sol- 
dier-king was surrounded by enemies. 
He must in fact keep turning all around, 
to ward them off. Austria must be 
chased away from Silesia; Russia, pre- 
vented from invading his kingdom, from 
225 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

the east, and France,— yes, France, too, 
must not be allowed to steal Prussian 
property lying near her own borders on 
the west! 

Could any one person— be he never so 
great a hero— expect to escape when so 
pressed on every side? We shall see. 



226 



CHAPTER XXIV 

LOBOSITZ 

/^N the twenty-eighth of August, 1756, 
^-^ the Prussian troops, fully equipped 
for war, with their King leading, were 
on their way to Saxony, intending to 
force a passage through that country 
into Bohemia, and settle accounts with 
Maria Theresa, first. At Frederick's ap- 
proach the small Saxon army fled to the 
rocky hills, where, safe from attack, it 
remained for several weeks; the river 
Elbe, flowing in front, added to its se- 
curity. 

Seeing how impossible it would be to 

dislodge the Saxons, King Frederick 
227 



FREDERICK TEE GREAT 

siUToiinded theii' stronghold and tried 
what hunger would do toward driving 
them out. ^When this Saxon force was 
on the verge of starvation, it appealed 
to Maria Theresa for help. A detach- 
ment under General Brown was sent by 
the queen to extricate her friends, from 
what had become a 23rison. 

The wide-awake yoimg King had no 
intention of allowing Brown to slip by, 
but met him at a place called Lobositz. 
After a conflict lasting seven hours, the 
Austrian rescuers were defeated and 
driven home again. A week or two 
later, the Saxons tried to manoeuvre 
their way out. rather than die in those 
rocky caves and hollows: that effort also 
failed, and the Saxon aiiny was forced 

to siu'render. 

228 



LOBOSITZ 

Frederick now had complete control 
of Saxony. He went into winter quar- 
ters in Dresden, and prepared for the 
spring campaign. This was the begin- 
ning of the third Silesian war, which 
seemed likely to be the most serious of all. 

Some of the devices by which the en- 
emy tried to communicate with the of- 
ficials in Dresden were indeed very odd. 
A certain lady of high degree received 
as a present a cask of choice wine. Now 
King Frederick was perfectly willing the 
good lady should enjoy her wine,— but 
he wanted the cask! So the wine was all 
drawn off, and nicely bottled and handed 
over to its owner. The empty cask was 
then carried away and carefully exam- 
ined,— behold! a false bottom! And 
there securely pressed between this false 

229 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

bottom and the real one lay a batch of 
secret letters! 

Then to another lady were sent some 
very fine sausages,— certainly they were 
harmless! Who would think of enclos- 
ing secrets in sausages? But,— surely 
there was something strange and tough 
in the midst of the various things sau- 
sages are made of? Better open them. 
Sure enough, there were more private 
dispatches concealed in the innocent- 
looking sausages. 

The King's position was becoming 
daily more and more critical. All de- 
noimced him for what he had done in 
Saxony, and were more than ever deter- 
mined to crush him! 

Maria Theresa cried out for '^ ven- 
230 



LOBOSITZ 

geance.'' The German States were 
aroused— France volunteered an army 
of one himdred thousand, to help sweep 
that '' dangerous, bad man '' out of the 
way. 

There were now arrayed against him 
—besides his old enemy, Austria— Rus- 
sia, France, Sweden, and Poland! The 
only friendly nation was England. 

Frederick knew only too well that he 
faced the possibility of complete over- 
throw in the unequal struggle about to 
begin. 

In January, he made a hasty visit to 
Berlin, and while there he wrote instruc- 
tions for the safeguarding of the royal 
family, should that catastrophe overtake 
him. 

When Frederick left Berlin, to return 
231 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

to the army, a small pMal filled with a 
powerful poison was in his pocket! It 
might be the hour of Prussia's doom! 
—but her king would not live to suffer 
the humiliation of capture by any of his 
besetting foes! He kept this deadly 
drug always at hand. 
• Those were sad hearts indeed, at the 
palace, when the final farewells were 
spoken, and King Frederick rode off 
toward Dresden and the work ahead for 
him. The parting with the Queen 
Mother was forever. Sophia Dorothea's 
blessing were the last words he would 
ever hear from her dear lips. 



232 



CHAPTER XXV 

PRAGUE — KOLIN 

nnHE winter passed, and the spring of 
-■- the year 1757 found four armies with 
swords buckled on, bayonets brightened, 
powder-flasks filled, and huge cannon all 
ready for this enterprise of putting an 
end to the King of Prussia! 

The Austrians thought that Frederick 
would stay in Saxony, and put himself 
on the defensive, when they should at- 
tack him. When was our soldier-king 
ever willing to wait for an enemy to 
come to him? In the latter part of 

April, the Prussians were marching in 
233 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

three columns,— right into Bohemia and 
on to the Capital! 

It was a very astonished Austrian 
army that was called, on the sixth of 
May, to defend itself. All day long, 
from nine o'clock in the morning until 
eight o'clock in the evening, the two 
forces wrestled in that terrible conflict. 
When the darkness of night settled over 
the sad havoc of the day, this, the fa- 
mous battle of Prague, was a Prussian 
victory. 

The grandmothers of some of my 

young friends may recall playing in 

their early days the pianoforte piece, 

called '' The Battle of Prague." They 

will tell you how they pressed the loud 

pedal firmly down in order to imitate 

the roaring of cannon and rolling of 
234 



PRAGUE — KOLIN 

drums, which the composer intended 
should illustrate this battle, won by 
Frederick the Great. 

It was not a complete victory, how- 
ever, as fully forty thousand of the de- 
feated army succeeded in getting into 
Prague; and the city withstood all ef- 
forts to take it by storm. The only hope 
then was the starving method through a 
siege. 

Before long, however, Frederick 
learned that Maria Theresa was sending 
a second army, to rescue her imprisoned 
troops. 

This was serious news, but it had to 
be faced. And so King Frederick turned 
himself about to join with other divi- 
sions of his army, in an endeavor to beat 

back this new force. It was at Kolin 
235 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

that they met. A fierce and bloody bat- 
tle followed; and, for the first time, 
Maria Theresa could claim a victory over 
her hated enemy! 

• ISTot an easy victory, by any means, 
though the Austrians outnumbered the 
Prussians by several thousands; but so 
it happened, after hours of hard, deter- 
mined fighting, and fine heroic deeds 
done on both sides,— the battle finally 
went against Frederick, and he was 
forced to order retreat. 

Poor King! This was a hard blow, 
and when he viewed all that was left of 
his gallant Life Guard,— barely four 
hundred,— when before the battle one 
thousand picked men had proudly an- 
swered to roll call,— the hot tears fell 

from his eyes. 

236 



PRAGUE — KOLIN 

And following this great misfortune 
came the sad news that the Queen- 
Mother, Sophia Dorothea, was dead. 

Truly, Frederick's troubles were 
heavy. But what rejoicing there was 
at the Court of Vienna! The happy 
young Queen decorated her officers, com- 
manding that day at Kolin, with hand- 
some medals; and bestowed other marks 
of favor upon them. 

That defeat was the signal for France, 
Eussia, Sweden, and the United German 
States, to push their armies forward, 
and seize upon the different parts of 
Frederick's kingdom; which each ruler 
claimed as his share of the spoils. 

The heavy tramp, tramp, tramp of 

thousands of armed men, and the sound 

of trumpets and drums, filled the air of 
237 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

Europe. It would take far too long to 
describe all the battles Frederick the 
Great fought during the next six years 
of this third, and happily, last Silesian 
war. 

It will suffice to give you the names 
of the principal engagements, and tell 
you where he was victorious, and where 
—as must sometimes happen in a long 
war— he tasted the bitterness of defeat. 

There were hours, during that long, 
unequal struggle, when Frederick— in 
spite of his supreme courage, and faith 
in himself, and his brave troops, was 
on the verge of despair! Then again, 
when ruination stared him in the face, 
—after some appalling disaster, and his 
numerous enemies were shouting in joy 

and triumph, over his supposed downfall, 

238 



PRAGUE — KOLIN 

—up he would spring and achieve a bril- 
liant triumph, stifling their loud rejoi- 
cings; leaving them dumb with astonish- 
ment. 



239 



CHAPTER XXVI 

ROSSBACH 

nnHE battle of Rossbach was the next 
-■- after Kolin, on the fifth of Novem- 
ber, 1757. Here the Prussians fought 
the French, and totally defeated them. 
After this splendid success, Frederick 
hastened to Silesia, for Prince Charles 
was there again, very busy seizing towns 
and issuing proclamations, in the Queen's 
name! 

After a hard, weary march, and within 

touch of the enemy, King Frederick 

called his officers together, and told them 

that notwithstanding the Austrians were 
240 



ROSSBACH 

very nearly three to their one, he should 
give battle just as soon as he reached 
them, adding, that success depended on 
their loyalty and heroism— but— that if 
any feared to share his peril, that one 
was free to retire. 

Not an officer accepted the offer; all 
declared themselves ready to do their ut- 
most. 

^' Shortly, we shall have beaten the 
enemy or else be all dead," King Fred- 
erick said on leaving. 

Going among his soldiers, the night 
before the expected engagement, the 
King found them to a man, ready— yes, 
eager to give Prince Charles another 
proof of what they would dare and do 
for King and country. 

All knew the great advantage the Aus- 

241 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

trians had in numbers, still in answer 
to the King's farewell words,— ^^ Good 
night to you, to-morrow then we shall 
either have beaten the enemy, or else be 
all dead,'' one and all shouted, " Yea, 
dead, or else the enemy beaten." 

Is it any wonder that, with such a 
spirit in the hearts of his men, Frederick 
numbered the battle of the next day— 
the fifth of December— among his tri- 
umphs? 

This was the battle of Leuthen, noted 
as a marvellous achievement. Many 
years after, another famous soldier,— the 
great Napoleon,— during his imprison- 
ment on the lonely, rocky island of the 
sea, had this to say of Leuthen: '' This 
battle is a masterpiece of movements, of 
manoeuvres, and of resolution. It is 

242 



ROSSBACH 

enough to immortalize Frederick, and to 
rank him among the greatest generals." 

In the following year, 1758, in the 
month of August, Frederick was forced 
to divide his army, leaving part to pro- 
tect Silesia, and with the remainder 
hurry home to Prussia and turn the Rus- 
sians out of his kingdom; for while he 
had been engaged in Silesia, a Russian 
armed force had stolen into Prussia and 
was trying to capture the fortified town 
of Ciistrin,— the same Ciistrin where 
poor Fritz was imprisoned, you remem- 
ber,— and as that town was only sixty 
miles from Berlin, we can well under- 
stand the need for haste. 

Frederick's ability to move his army 
quickly from place to place astonished 
and bewildered his enemies. After a 

243 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

rapid march lie came within reach of the 
intruders near the village of Zorndorf, 
on the twenty-fifth of August, and a 
fierce battle followed. Leaving his new 
foes thoroughly beaten and wishing they 
had never left Russia, back to Saxony 
the King hastened, for he was needed 
there to aid his brother, Prince Henry, 
to repel a threatened attempt of the Aus- 
trians to rescue Dresden. 

Something most unusual happened 
after the return to Saxony. It is hard 
to account for it,— but the truth is, Fred- 
erick was taken by surprise! General 
Daun, commanding Maria Theresa's 
army, really succeeded in catching our 
soldier unawares near the village of 
Hochkirch, and in consequence defeated 

him. 

244 



ROSSBACH 

In addition to this misfortune, word 
was brought to camp, that his best-loved 
sister, Wilhelmina, was no more. Fred- 
erick was on the verge of despair. All, 
everything, seemed going from him. His 
kingdom in great peril! And mother 
and sister gone forever. 

A soldier knows what to expect in 
open warfare, but the hired assassin is 
not one of the legitimate weapons of 
war. It was during this campaign that 
Frederick, though thinking deeply one 
day, noticed that the hand of his servant 
trembled as he placed a cup of chocolate 
upon the table for him. Looking up 
quickly the sharp eyes of the King de- 
tected a guilty expression in the man's 
face. '^ I am certain you have been 

245 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

bribed to poison me," he said sternly. 
The s errant stoutly denied the accusa- 
tion. Nevertheless, Frederick gave some 
of the chocolate to a dog, and then there 
was positive proof that he had narrowly 
escaped death, as poor doggie died in a 
short time. The would-be murderer 
finally confessed his guilt and revealed 
the names of those who had hired him 
to commit the terrible crime. Frederick 
sent the man quietly away to prison and 
told no one of the attempt to poison him. 



246 



CHAPTER XXVn 

KUNNERSDORF 

WE cannot pass over the battle of 
Kunnersdorf, for this engage- 
ment was fraught with such momentous 
consequences to Frederick. With less 
than fifty thousand men he boldly at- 
tacked the combined Eussian and Aus- 
trian forces, numbering fully ninety 
thousand. 

It was near the village of Kunnersdorf 
and not far from Frankfurt on the river 
Oder, we know so well, that Frederick 
took such great chances. It was like the 
last effort put forth by a drowning man, 

to reach shore. The fighting began early 
247 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

in the morning of the twelfth day of Au- 
gust, now the year 1759, and continued 
until the close of day. The sun went 
down on a ruined Prussian army, and a 
king bemoaning that he still lived! 

** My coat is riddled with bullets, two 
horses were killed under me! My mis- 
fortune is that I am still alive," he wrote 
to his friends at Berlin, after the day 
was done. 

'' I will not survive the destruction of 
my coimtry. Farewell forever." It is 
quite likely that in the dark hours, fol- 
lowing this crushing defeat, King Fred- 
erick often felt in his pocket to make 
sure that the small phial of poison was 
safe and ready. 

I am very, very glad that he did not 

yield to the temptation to taste of its 

248 



KUNNERSDORF 

deadly contents, and so put an end to his 
misery. Surely Frederick was great in 
winning battles,— and he was also great 
in defeat. 

It is fine indeed to win laurels, but it 
is also fine to rally from misfortune, and, 
with renewed energy and courage, take 
up the fight again. 

Just one year after the unfortunate 
battle of Kunnersdorf, Frederick was 
again in Silesia contending for the prov- 
ince. He had only the shadow of his 
once splendid army, but there was the 
same old spirit in leader and men. 

On the thirty-first of August, 1760, the 
Austrians were defeated at Liegnitz. 
Then, a month later, Frederick hurried 
back to Berlin, where a combined Russian 
and Austrian force was making itself 

249 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

yery much at home. The intruders did 
not wait for his coming, but made good 
time in leaving when it was known he 
was near! 

Then back again to Saxony in Novem- 
ber, where, with a force of forty thou- 
sand, he defeated Daun and his sixty- 
five thousand at Torgau. We now come 
to the final battle, which ended the long 
seven years' war. This was the battle 
of Friedberg which was a splendid vic- 
tory and proved to be the last. King 
Frederick was not present. Prince 
Henry had the honor of winning this 
engagement on the twenty-ninth day of 
October in the year 1762. 

Europe had seen enough of war with 
its wretched consequences, and all agreed 
that it was time for peace. And peace 

250 



KUNNERSDORF 

was very, very welcome to the weary 
King of Prussia. 

The last treaty between the two war- 
ring majesties was signed at Huberts- 
bough, on the fifteenth of February, 
1763, and was never more broken. Si- 
lesia belonged to Prussia now and for- 
ever. 

Again was it necessary to rebuild 
towns and villages, and this the soldier- 
king set about doing without delay. 
Time could and did restore them, but 
the thousands of brave lives swept away 
during that struggle for the possession 
of Silesia were gone beyond recall, so ter- 
rible a thing is war. 

The inhabitants of the dearly won 
province were nearly ruined, and in or- 
der to assist them the King remitted all 
251 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

taxes for six months. In two other 
provinces he relieved the people from 
paying taxes for two years. 

Frederick the Great has fought and 
added territory to his kingdom, and from 
henceforth his life-work is to be the de- 
veloping and strengthening of that king- 
dom. With the same untiring energy 
shown during his hard campaigns, Fred- 
erick soon had over twelve thousand new 
houses and barns built to shelter his un- 
fortunate subjects. And then the indus- 
tries which had received a check were 
encouraged to begin again. New manu- 
factures were started. Prussian linen 
and woolen cloths found a market in 
Spain, Italy, and even in far-away China. 

Away off in the northern provinces 

there were acres and acres of marshy 
252 



KUNNERSDORF 

waste ground. This seemingly useless 
land did not escape Frederick's atten- 
tion; he caused the water to be drained 
off and the ground made fit to cultivate. 
But the country was too large for the 
number of inhabitants; there was room 
for many, many more. Our wise King 
offered very liberal inducements to colo- 
nists to come and settle in Prussia. For 
each new family he built a house, and 
gave a cow, and I believe a pig also. 
And besides, the settlers were not re- 
quired to pay any taxes for the first ten 
years. 

One time when King Frederick was 
making his annual inspection, he met 
one of these newcomers to whom he 
spoke. Here was the chance to get more 
favors from his Majesty— so the man 
253 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

thought, for it was well understood tliat 
Erederick was verr desirous of increas- 
ing the population. So iq a complaining 
voice he informed the King that he was 
about to remove his wife and children 
to some other country, where thev would 
aU " be better off." 

" You are quite in the right, my good 
iiiti: 1." briskly rejoined the King. ** for 
ii I knew of a place where I should be 
better off than where I am. I would cer- 
tainly go there myself." and rode on. 

The result of this policy of colonizing 
was sixty new villages. 



26i 



CHAPTER xxvra 

SANS souci 

rpHE victorious monarch longed for 
-^ his cottage-palace at Potsdam. 
And as Sans Souci was hereafter his 
favorite dwelling-place, it is well to take 
a little peep at it. The building is only 
one-story high, but raised from the 
ground by three steps which are on all 
sides. A dome gives additional height 
to one part, then finishing off the top of 
the remainder is a stone balustrade bear- 
ing at intervals pieces of statuary and 
large vases for flowers. Not an impos- 
ing palace for a king, but this was in- 
tended to be his home,— a place where 

'255 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

lie might lay aside some of the formali- 
ties and splendors necessary to his posi- 
tion as a reigning sovereign, and enjoy, 
as a man, such pleasures as suited his 
tastes. The river Havel flows at the foot 
of the hill upon which Sans Souci stands. 
I must tell you a little story connected 
with the laying out of the spacious gar- 
dens about Sans Souci. It seems that 
right in line with one of the proposed 
paths stood an old mill. The landscape 
gardener wanted the obstruction re- 
moved, and a sinn of money was offered 
to the miller for it, but the old man re- 
fused to sell— for generations back his 
people had lived and ground their com 
right there, and he and his sons should 
go on doing the same. A larger amoimt 

of money was offered, still the miller 
256 



SANS SOUCI 

stoutly refused to part with his prop- 
erty. Finally King Frederick said to 
him: 

" Don't you know that if I please I 
may take your mill, turn you out, and 
not pay you a farthing for it? " 

^^ Aye, that you might, if there were 
no such thing as a Supreme Court of 
Justice in Berlin." 

This bold and significant answer 

greatly amused Frederick and he 

laughed heartily. The shrewd old miller 

was right; how could he consistently 

use his arbitrary power in such a case 

when his aim had always been to give 

to his people just and good laws? Laws 

that would protect the poorest peasant 

in his kingdom as well as those who were 

born to high station and wealth. The 
257 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

humblest subject in the land could bring 
his grievance to a Couii: of Justice, and 
if he then considered himself unjustly 
dealt by, he could appeal to his Majesty. 
■ "When presenting a petition to the 
King the custom was to kneel before his 
Majesty. This Frederick forbade his 
subjects doing, saying that such a pos- 
ture should only be when appealing to 
the ^^ Supreme Being." 

YThen we think of the absolute power 
held by sovereigns over the life and lib- 
eity of theii^ subjects in those days, and 
how little regard was usually paid to the 
peasant class, Frederick the Great's rec- 
ognition of the fact that all men have 
rights is the more remarkable. To be 
sure, there were times when his idea of 

justice did not entirely agree with the 
2o8 



SANS SOUCI 

written law, but he was determined that 
the powerful should not oppress the 
weak. 

Well, the weatherbeaten old mill was 
left to creak and whirr to its heart's 
content as it industriously ground out 
the flour for its master; and the path 
was turned in another direction. 

Voltaire, who made long visits at Sans 
Souci, and others who enjoyed the 
King's hospitality, have given us little 
glimpses of the home life there. 

"When the first tinge of color appeared 
along the horizon to proclaim that day 
was breaking, a single attendant entered 
his Majesty's room, and when necessary 
lighted a fire. There was no Baron This 
or That standing ready to clasp a jew- 
eled garter upon the royal right leg, 
259 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

while a nobleman of lesser degree se- 
cured its mate about the left, and a third 
exalted personage was honored by being 
permitted to di^aw the fresh linen over 
Ms august master's shoulders, as was the 
custom at the morning toilets of some 
monarchs; no, indeed, Frederick the 
Great had too much to do to waste time 
with such fonnalities. After arising 
from the little, narrow, hard bed upon 
which he always slept at Sans Souci, 
the same servant who took charge of the 
fire rendered whatever assistance was 
required. Then, with his customary blue 
uniform, faced with red and here and 
there a small silver ornament, closely 
buttoned, and breakfast eaten, the King 
of Prussia was ready for the business of 

the day. And, believe me, no king ever 
260 



SANS SOU CI 

worked harder in the interests of his 
kingdom than our hero during those ^ 
busy morning hours. 

Promptly at eleven o'clock each day 
a soldier brought the king's horse and 
away Frederick galloped to the Potsdam 
parade ground, there to review his 
Guards. And at the very same hour all 
commanders of regiments throughout his 
dominions were doing the very same 
with their own commands. The review 
over, then a stroll through the gardens 
conversing with some of his high officers, 
or perhaps a guest or two— but back to 
Sans Souci in time for dinner at one 
o'clock. 

Now when you learn that the services 

of four cooks were required to prepare 

this midday meal, you will see how sad 
261 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

it would have been to spoil such an elab- 
orate dinner by tardiness. There was a 
French cook, an Italian cook, a Prussian 
cook and even an Austrian cook engaged 
in the kitchen at Sans Souci. Each cook 
was expected to furnish four special 
dishes for dinner and two particularly 
tempting viands for supper. 

Many delightful hours with pen and 
paper followed dinner, for Frederick 
the King had not outgrown the boy 
Fritz's fondness for verse-making. In 
these happy play times Frederick wrote 
a '' History of the Seven Years' War," 
'' Memoirs of the House of Branden- 
berg," '' The Art of War," and indeed, 
a niunber of short poems. 

When the day was done and the King 

and his guests— Frederick enjoyed the 
262 



SANS SOUCI 

companionsliip of men of learning and 
ability— had partaken of the delicacies 
prepared by the four cooks for supper, 
all repaired to the music room for the 
nightly concert. Do you recall the secret 
music lessons which caused poor Fritz 
so much trouble years ago? Quantz, the 
teacher engaged by Queen Sophia Doro- 
thea at that time, is now the leader of 
the royal band. Frederick has become 
an excellent performer and often takes 
the solo parts with his flute, at other 
times playing with the band. 

It would not do to neglect mentioning 
other members of the royal household 
at Sans Souci— the King's dogs— for 
they were in fact his faithful friends. 
There were always five or six slender, 

graceful Italian greyhounds roaming 
263 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

about the palace with the greatest free- 
dom. The handsome blue satin furniture 
bore unmistakable eridenees of the lib- 
erty enjoyed by the King's four-footed 
friends. Scattered about the rooms 
were always to be found a number of 
balls with which Frederick and his dogs 
often indulged in a good frolic. 

A work Frederick was greatly inter- 
ested in was the new Military Academy 
he established at Berlin. And then there 
was the Orphan House at Potsdam, 
where six thousand little children were 
cared for at his own expense. And here 
also were received the little sons and 
daughters of soldiers and peasants who 
were imable to provide for them. The 
boys were trained to be soldiers some 

day. Without the wise economy King 
264 



.SANS SOUOI 

Frederick used in governing his country 
and tlie personal sacrifices lie willingly 
made— using his own private purse 
freely— Prussia could not have advanced 
so rapidly in these years of peace. 

Never forgetting that there was a to- 
morrow coming and that it was well to 
be prepared for whatever it might bring 
forth, Frederick caused large granaries 
to be built in the agricultural districts 
so that during a rich harvest grain could 
be stored away against a time of need. 
And through this thoughtful provision 
for the future, when a dreadful famine 
spread over Germany in the year 1772, 
causing death and great suffering, Prus- 
sia escaped these horrors and was even 
able to send com to her starving neigh- 
bors. 

265 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

Never for a moment did the older 
powers of Europe lose sight of that 
'' dangerous, bad man/' as Maria The- 
resa styled her adversary. They had 
been forced to admit Prussia into the 
family circle of nations, and so strong 
and vigorous was this new member, that, 
'' What will King Frederick say to it? " 
often acted as a check when some ag- 
gressive policy toward a weaker neighbor 
was contemplated. And because King 
Frederick said an emphatic ^^ No, you 
must not," an effort made by Austria 
to absorb a portion of Bavaria came to 
naught, greatly to the vexation of the 
warlike Queen. 

It was following this short Bavarian 

war that Frederick started a movement 

to unite the G-erman Princes in a pro- 
266 



SANS SOUCI 

tective League, in order to curb Aus- 
tria's encroacliinents upon Germany. 
You see, Maria Theresa lost none of her 
vigor and spirit through her disappoint- 
ment in failing to send Elng Frederick 
home empty-handed. Indeed she con- 
tinued to govern her country with mas- 
terful power and courage up to the time 
of her death, which was on the 29th of 
November, 1780, after a reign of forty 
years. 

The Grand Reviews held once a year 
in Silesia and at Berlin attracted world- 
wide attention. Men of prominence 
from all countries eagerly sought an op- 
portunity to witness the most perfectly 
drilled army in all Europe go through 
its manoeuvres. When General Lafay- 
ette returned to France after helping 

267 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

us in our struggle for independence, he 
visited the "King of Prussia for the pur- 
pose of enjoying the brilliant spectacle. 

Frederick the soldier on these occa- 
sions was a stern and exacting critic. 
He required perfection in his officers and 
men. A dishonest State official or serv- 
ant caught robbing him of money would 
be forgiven, but the least mistake or the 
slightest evidence of carelessness dis- 
covered during these annual drills was 
very severely pimished. 

A matter of interest to us in the last 
year of Frederick's life was a treaty be- 
tween Prussia and the United States 
whereby both coimtries promised friend- 
ship to each other. It is pleasant to 
think that this contract arranged be- 
tween Frederick the Great and our rep- 
268 



SANS SOUCI 

resentative, Benjamin Franklin, ,has 
never been broken. 

One almost forgets that all this time 
there was a Queen of Prussia. The 
forced marriage of Fritz and the Prin- 
cess Elizabeth Christina never brought 
any happiness to either. Their lives 
were spent apart after a few years, and 
it was only on some grand public occa- 
sion, either at the Palace of Berlin or at 
the Charlottenberg Palace, that the 
royal couple ever met. Queen Elizabeth 
Christina never entered Sans Souci, not 
even during the hours of pain and sick- 
ness which in the advancing years af- 
flicted the King. 

There is nothing in the thin, stooping 

figure so familiar to all at Potsdam, with 
269 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

the crumpled felt hat upon his head, a 
dark-blue uniform buttoned close, show- 
ing wear and disfigured bv ugly, little 
brown spots, to remind one of the fastidi- 
ous Crown Prince who delighted in red 
dressing gowns and curling locks. And 
those brown spots?— unmistakable evi- 
dences that the King of Prussia had a 
fondness for snuff! Yes, really, Fred- 
erick became addicted to that strange 
and untidy habit. He owned a dozen or 
more costly snuff-boxes, many encrusted 
with precious jewels. Two of these 
snuff-boxes he always carried with him. 
A dying monarch might be forgiven 
if he ceased to take an active interest in 
public affairs. But our brave Frederick, 
though engaged in a final battle in which 
he knows there can only be surrender 
270 



SANS SOUCI 

for Mm, his poor body worn to a shadow 
and quivering with pain, heroically at- 
tends to the business of his kingdom 
with amazing energy and clearness of 
mind. Forced to spend his last days and 
nights propped up in a chair, as the only 
way to avoid distressing suffocating at- 
tacks, yet Frederick the Grreat wasted 
not a precious moment of the little time 
of life left him. Even just the day be- 
fore his last on earth he kept three clerks 
busy. Oh, it was hard for this great man 
to take time to die! 

The closing scene in our hero's life is 
in keeping with the stern and often bit- 
ter experiences which had befallen him. 
There was no tender, gentle woman's 
hand at Sans Souci to administer to his 

comfort. The sorrowing men of his 
271 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

household were about him, and one lov- 
ing old attendant held the dying King in 
his arms for an hour or more. Still we 
cannot but picture a poor, lonely sufferer 
taking his farewell of earthly things, as 
even kings must do. 

Almost at the very last he tried to give 
the watchword for the night to the officer 
of the Guards standing near, but his 
strength had been spent and only silence 
followed the attempt to speak. A look 
of sorrow passed over the King's face 
as he turned his head away and settled 
down in his chair. 

Later he rallied and looking about the 
room, noticed one of his dogs lying upon 
a stool and shivering from the cool night 
air which was necessary for his master's 
comfort. Making a great effort to speak, 

272 



SANS SOUGI 

Frederick in Ms kindness of heart bade 
some one cover the delicate greyhound 
with a quilt. 

Soon after this kindly thought for his 
dog's welfare Frederick the Great's 
busy, eventful life came to a close, and 
he passed away into an everlasting 
peace. This was on Thursday morning, 
the 17th day of August in the year 1786. 
Just seventy-four years since the bells 
of Berlin joyfully heralded the birth of 
an heir to the kingdom of Prussia. 

They laid him to rest beside his father 
King Frederick William I., in the little 
chapel of the church at Potsdam. 

Frederick the Great had no children, 

and as his brother, August William, the 

next in line, was dead, he named this 

brother's son, Frederick William, his 
273 



FREDERICK THE GREAT 

successor. The kingdom lie gave into 
his nephew's keeping was half as large 
again as when he ascended the throne. 
In his final instructions to his heir, Fred- 
erick wrote, ^* To be a king is a chance, 
but never forget that you are a man.'' 
The sums of money willed to relatives 
and friends were small, all coming 
strictly from his private purse. From 
an overflowing treasury Frederick took 
nothing, for '' that,'' he reminds them, 
'' is not mine, it belongs to the State." 

The new King, Frederick William II., 
was a very different character from his 
illustrious uncle. But we need not fol- 
low the fortunes of this King of Prussia, 
only it may interest you to know that it 
was his grandson, King William I. of 

Prussia, who was in the year 1871 
274 



SANS SOUCI 

elected by the German States to be their 
Emperor. He was the first of the Hohen- 
zoUern family called to that high posi- 
tion. And it is his grandson, King Will- 
iam II., whom we all know so well as 
Kaiser William, who is now the German 
Emperor. 



THE END. 



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'Roxdur.-Li-c S:-::: i: 

NOTHING:-- :e:t:f: :: 
anon of : :; i :. 1 ; ..^ 
time store in then r..:: : s .-.:. 
able to any one wd : 1 

tured, or happier td.i". ?:: t 
of telling a story, ar. i :de r 
ing-s have lent great spu^i: :o 



term 
.00 



Het^oes of the Crusades 



C:ih 



^e idusira-rns 51.50 






By A^LA-VDA M. DovG 

THE romantic interest in the days ct cr^va.::;.-. s:> t-:^.y exempur-ei dv 
the " Heroes of the Crusades,'' is permanent and properly so. This 
book is fitted to keep it alive without descending to improbafaifity or 
cheap sensationalism. 

For sale by all bookfttllers or »ent postpaid oa receipt of pric* 

by the publishers, 

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON 



JUN 12 1908 



Deacidfiec -sirc 1-e cccKweecer :r:cess. 
I^ieurr3iiz:rc scerx: lUagresiLr^ CxiCe 
--aTT-ertbate: jpj 2001 

PresenrationT^chnologies 



